In the month that owners of guns classified by Illinois as assault weapons have had to register their firearms with the state, 2,430 individuals have done so.
It’s impossible to know how many Illinois residents own the guns and parts they’re required to register under the Protect Illinois Communities Act. An Illinois State Police spokesman declined to share a projection. The number is likely multiples more than has registered, considering the popularity of AR-15-style guns and the 2.4 million Illinoisians with Firearm Owners Identification cards.
Since the Protect Illinois Communities Act became law in early 2023, the sale of hundreds, if not thousands, of types of guns, cartridges, and accessories has been illegal in Illinois. The law lists specific models, but it’s not an exhaustive list.
