Illinois Considers Unusual Approach to Gun Regulations

[mauserme]

https://www.governing.com/policy/illinois-considers-unusual-approach-to-gun-regulations

 

Illinois Considers Unusual Approach to Gun Regulations

The bill aims to get around federal protections for gun manufacturers.

September 29, 2025 •  Jule Pattison-Gordon

 

An Illinois bill proposes a novel approach to gun regulation and gun violence prevention.

 

The Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act, if passed, would subject firearm manufacturers to a variable licensing fee: The more often their guns are found to have been used in injury-causing incidents, the higher their fee. The money would go toward compensating gun violence victims or to cover other costs associated with gun violence.

The bill aims to skirt federal protections for the firearm industry. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act shields sellers from most civil lawsuits over unlawful use of their products. So the RIFL Act aims to compel these companies to financially compensate gun violence victims outside the court system.

...

If the law passes, manufacturers would be unable to operate in Illinois without obtaining the to-be-created state license, and retailers could only sell Illinois consumers guns from licensed manufacturers. This would be enforced with hefty fines for violations — manufacturers could face up to $1 million in fines per month.

...

It’s unclear whether the law has the votes to pass, but Illinois is a state that favors strong gun regulations. Democrats maintain a majority in the state House and state Senate, and Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker has touted his record of passing gun regulations.

 

“Illinois has been one of the most aggressive states in the nation in combatting the epidemic of gun violence,” Pritzker said when signing two new gun laws in July.

 

[mab22]

Pretty sure this would violate the commerce clause….

I suspect they feel a PICA loss coming. 

[Black Flag]

Illinois needs a companion bill  bill with similar logic aimed at reducing caloric violence and obesity deaths by making soda pop "safer."

[EdDinIL]

On 9/29/2025 at 8:02 AM, mab22 said:

Pretty sure this would violate the commerce clause….

I suspect they feel a PICA loss coming. 

The state's game plan:

PICA loss

Freedom week(s) begin

RIFL is passed and becomes law, shutting down sales again

Legal slog begins anew while more FFLs wither and die

 

Close enough?

[mab22]

On 9/29/2025 at 8:25 AM, EdDinIL said:

The state's game plan:

PICA loss

Freedom week(s) begin

RIFL is passed and becomes law, shutting down sales again

Legal slog begins anew while more FFLs wither and die

 

Close enough?

I would agree with that. It just furthers the argument that IL Democrats want a nullification of the federal constitution unless there is a clause they like, then it's "constitutional". 

 

My first concern is that the 2A groups will thrash it around as a 2A issue when there are other avenues which might be available. 

 

[springfield shooter]

On 9/29/2025 at 6:02 AM, mab22 said:

Pretty sure this would violate the commerce clause….

I suspect they feel a PICA loss coming. 

 

Pretty sure you're right about the Commerce Clause.

 

Hope you're right about PICA.

 

Plus: "The money would go toward compensating gun violence victims or to cover other costs associated with gun violence."  Yeah. Sure it would.

 

[Yeti]

If more (hopefully all) major gun manufacturers pulled a “Barrett” and refused to sell guns to the IL state police,   Chicago police, Cook County Sheriff, etc. when restrictions and taxes drop, this line of regulation (along with gun model restrictions) would fade away as the lawmakers then wouldn’t feel extra protected vs. the peasants they want to rule.  Seems like most aren’t willing to give up ~2% of their law enforcement revenue to fight back against IL.

[ragsbo]

On 9/29/2025 at 8:25 AM, EdDinIL said:

The state's game plan:

PICA loss

Freedom week(s) begin

RIFL is passed and becomes law, shutting down sales again

Legal slog begins anew while more FFLs wither and die

 

Close enough?

That is what they have done so why wouldn't they continue ???? They won't stop until forced to- and I mean locked up in jail kind of "you ain't doing that no more"! 

[BobPistol]

"The money would go toward compensating gun violence victims or to cover other costs associated with gun violence."

LOL.   That's a lie.    Just more money for cronies.

[TomKoz]

Purple:  Why not just Tax fingers?  Difficult to pull a trigger without a finger.  No Commerce Clause issues !!

[mauserme]

In a subject matter hearing earlier this year, the doctor promoting these bills said AG Raoul assured him this is constitutional.  And he seemed to actually believe it.

 

 

[davel501]

On 9/29/2025 at 10:41 AM, mauserme said:

In a subject matter hearing earlier this year, the doctor promoting these bills said AG Raoul assured him this is constitutional.  And he seemed to actually believe it.

 

 

 

I mean, he's an attorney and he's a general. I'll bet he knows all about all the laws and has some sick ninja skills too. 

[John Q Public]

This is exactly what I said would happen, when one is stricken, they will have five more ready to go. It's whack-a-mole. Until there are penalties, we will never get anywhere. It really is that simple. 

[Quiet Observer]

On 9/29/2025 at 8:24 AM, Black Flag said:

Illinois needs a companion bill  bill with similar logic aimed at reducing caloric violence and obesity deaths by making soda pop "safer."

It has already been done is Cook County and several places around the country. 

How do state and local soda taxes work? | Tax Policy Center

[springfield shooter]

On 9/29/2025 at 8:41 AM, mauserme said:

In a subject matter hearing earlier this year, the doctor promoting these bills said AG Raoul assured him this is constitutional.  And he seemed to actually believe it.

 

 

 

During the PICA process, the state was saying that whatever laws they pass are to be considered constitutional until ruled otherwise by the courts.

 

So (as an example), to their minds they can unilaterally abrogate the First Amendment at their leisure...until the courts rule otherwise. 

 

They are dishonest as sin.

[yurimodin]

On 9/29/2025 at 11:21 AM, John Q Public said:

This is exactly what I said would happen, when one is stricken, they will have five more ready to go. It's whack-a-mole. Until there are penalties, we will never get anywhere. It really is that simple. 

 

We were warned.......

[Dumak_from_arfcom]

It would be a defacto gun ban in IL.  

 

Look at the fees. The manufacturers aren't going to pay that.  

 

[Dumak_from_arfcom]

On 9/29/2025 at 11:21 AM, John Q Public said:

This is exactly what I said would happen, when one is stricken, they will have five more ready to go. It's whack-a-mole. Until there are penalties, we will never get anywhere. It really is that simple. 

 

I agree. We need the DOJ to go on offense now.  They could allege civil rights violations based on how PICA was passed through the state legislature.  

[ragsbo]

On 9/29/2025 at 2:56 PM, Dumak_from_arfcom said:

 

I agree. We need the DOJ to go on offense now.  They could allege civil rights violations based on how PICA was passed through the state legislature.  

I would LOVE to see that but won't be holding my breath. 

[Upholder]

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