Chambana Sun

In an April 28 Facebook post, Rep. Chris Miller (R-Charleston) marked a ruling that called the assault weapons ban unenforceable.

“A federal judge for the Southern District of Illinois issued an injunction Friday afternoon, ruling the assault weapons ban as unenforceable," he wrote. "Great news heading into the weekend!"

Miller shared a link to a story on WCIA's website in his Facebook post. That report said that the injunction was granted by Judge Steven McGlynn. The judge cited past Supreme Court cases as the reasons for his ruling. “The Supreme Court in Bruen and Heller held that citizens have a constitutional right to own and possess firearms and may use them for self-defense,” the judge wrote in his ruling. “[The ban] seems to be written in spite of the clear directives in Bruen and Heller, not in conformity with them.”

Known as the "Protect Illinois Communities Act," the bill was intended to go into effect on Jan. 10. This controversial bill banned the use and ownership of a variety of weapons, including assault rifles and certain magazines. It also made changes to pretrial detention, police use of force, and other issues.

The Illinois State Police has answers to frequently asked questions surrounding the bill. Find those answers here.

In January, ABC News quoted Gov. J.B. Pritzker after signing the bill. Pritzker said: "No Illinoisan, no matter their zip code, should have to go through life fearing their loved one could be the next in an ever-growing list of victims of mass shootings," the governor said. "However, for too long people have lived in fear of being gunned down in schools, while worshipping, at celebrations or in their own front yards. This legislation will stop the spread of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches and make our state a safer place for all."

In March, the Illinois Supreme Court granted an expedited appeal of the Macon County lawsuit against the state's enforcement of the law. Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) led this lawsuit, as an individual. 

Miller was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the International Trade & Commerce and International Trade & Commerce committees.