Chambana Sun

In a May 1 Facebook post, Rep. Jason Bunting shared the decision of a Southern Illinois judge regarding the automatic weapons ban.

“Southern Illinois judge temporarily blocks assault weapons ban,” he wrote.

Forbes reported a poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research noted half of polled Republican voters said they wanted stricter gun control laws.

In his Facebook post, Bunting shared a story from the Rockford Register Star, which reported that in a 29-page opinion, Judge Judge Stephen P. McGlynn, said the law known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, or PICA, is likely to be found unconstitutional when the case goes to trial and the plaintiffs in the consolidated cases will suffer harms without a preliminary injunction to block its enforcement."

Pew Research reported that approximately 48% of Americans feel that gun violence is a major issue.

ABC7 also reported on the decision. They noted that "McGlynn's decision came less than a week after another federal judge, Lindsay Jenkins, of the Northern District of Illinois, reached an opposite conclusion and denied a motion to halt enforcement of the law. Plaintiffs in that case have indicated they intend to appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals."

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) noted that gun violence should be considered a public health epidemic.

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill creating the assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban on Jan. 10, 2023, and it went into effect immediately upon Pritzker's signature. The House of Representatives had passed a slightly different version the week before.

“Family physicians care for victims of gun violence and their families every day,” AAFP wrote. “These physicians, who witness the substantial impact firearm-related violence has on the health of their patients, families, and communities, have the power to help improve the safety and wellbeing of those groups.”

Bunting was selected to represent the people of the 106th House District, which covers parts of Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean, and Will Counties. His previous experience as an elected official includes the Livingston County Board, Highway Commissioner of Broughton Township. Until 2023, Bunting served as President of the Livingston County Farm Bureau and is a Director for the Illinois Corn Growers’ Association.