Call to Action 5/17/2026! Witness Slips Needed!

[mauserme]

Call to Action!
Witness Slips Needed!

 

Today we revisit several bills rearing their ugly heads yet again, HB4471 Crim Cd – Convertible Pistols being one.

 

HB4471 was the subject of our March 22 Call to Action because it is designed to either force gun manufacturers to either adopt inferior, less safe designs or to completely ban those manufacturers. Though the bill does not mention Glock by name, it was made clear in committee testimony that the target is Glock, including Glock's new design meant to address the complaints of anti-gun forces. Glock clones would naturally be included.

 

Even law enforcement groups oppose this legislation, and we ask that you join us in expressing our opposition.

 

Another bill, HB4999 MHDD CD – Disclosure Exception, was included just a week earlier in our March 15 Call to Action. The bill proposes to deny those accused of being a clear and present danger by medical personnel their most fundamental right to confront their accuser, by concealing the identity of the accuser. Again, we oppose.

 

A third bill, HB5209 FOID – Mental Health, is new to our calls to action but not new to the state's attacks on rural Illinois and minorities. In the most recent amendment filed, it creates even more roadblocks to restoration of rights than currently exist, by requiring at least 2 office visits to a “FOID reinstatement mental health evaluator” – a qualification that does not currently exist and is unlikely to ever commonly exist.

 

According to one report:

 

“ … many counties outside major metropolitan areas (across Illinois) are designated as mental health professional shortage areas, meaning there simply aren’t enough licensed providers to meet the community’s needs.

 

The numbers tell a stark story. While urban areas like Chicago have approximately 350 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, rural counties often have fewer than 50 providers per 100,000 people. This shortage creates a cascade of problems that affect entire communities.”

 

In regard to minorities, KFF (formerly Kaiser Family Foundation) cites a study stating:

 

“ ... Among adults with any mental illness, Hispanic (44%), Black (39%), and Asian (33%) adults were less likely than White adults (58%) to receive mental health services as of 2024.”

 

Clearly HB5209 is meant not to improve a failed system, but to enhance its degree of failure.

 

Please join us in opposing these bills by following the links below.

 

###

 

HB4471 Crim Cd – Convertible Pistols

OPPONENT!

 

Read More About This Bill

 

File an OPPONENT Witness Slip

 

Track the Witness Slips

 

 

 

HB4999 MHDD Cd – Disclosure Exception

OPPONENT!

 

Read More About This Bill

 

File an OPPONENT Witness Slip

 

Track the Witness Slips

 

 

 

 

HB5209 FOID – Mental Health

OPPONENT!

 

Read More About This Bill

 

File an OPPONENT Witness Slip

 

Track the Witness Slips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Double P]

All done. Our numbers aren’t very high. Is there going to be an email sent out?  The ISRA one about the pistol conversion but not the other two. 

Edited May 17, 2026 at 09:51 PM by Double P
Spelling

[mauserme]

On 5/17/2026 at 4:50 PM, Double P said:

All done. Our numbers aren’t very high. Is there going to be an email sent out?  The ISRA one about the pistol conversion but not the other two. 

 

Yep, our email is scheduled for 5 PM, give or take.

 

 

[Scotty425]

Done for all three 

[Double P]

On 5/17/2026 at 4:52 PM, mauserme said:

 

Yep, our email is scheduled for 5 PM, give or take.

 

 

Just got it!

[JTHunter]

Done.

[Dumak_from_arfcom]

done

[gearhead]

Done x 2.

[NonDescript]

Done!

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Done!

 

[X Ring]

Done X 2! Also I forwarded this to my 2A family.

Edited May 18, 2026 at 04:07 PM by X Ring

[djmarkla]

I just saw the call to action. I filed my slips.

 

[Steve51]

Done X 2

[POAT54]

Done

[GunCollector]

All three Done!  

[GunCollector]

ATTENTION @mauserme IL CARRY:   The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) is requesting members to SUPPORT HB4999, which is at odds with Illinois Carry.   Can you coordinate on this?

 

 

[mauserme]

On 5/20/2026 at 8:04 AM, GunCollector said:

ATTENTION @mauserme IL CARRY:   The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) is requesting members to SUPPORT HB4999, which is at odds with Illinois Carry.   Can you coordinate on this?

 

 

 

ISRA sometimes follows a path that makes no sense.  This is one of those times.

 

 

 

 

[Molly B.]

Plus,  under current law,  the identity is protected for a person filing a clear and present danger report on someone. The amendment to the law stating maybe, sometimes, if the court or review board says you can know who filed the report on you,  then maybe, if they feel like, they will tell you, if they want to. Maybe. "If they have to. I guess".

 

We don't see that as a win or something to support. 

[EdDinIL]

On 5/20/2026 at 11:09 AM, Molly B. said:

We don't see that as a win or something to support. 

In this case, though, IC is opposing it and not remaining neutral.  Does IC oppose it because it opposes ERPO in general and just wants them gone?

[mauserme]

This is a case of not only is the punishment the punishment, but the process is the punishment as well.  It simply does not accomplish what they claim it will.  Sure, you can sue to get records released, if you can afford to do that, but how do you present evidence of the need to release the identity of the person reporting the information when you don't know who that person is?  And administrative review is not the epitome of efficient processes.  It seems to have become more a roadblock to rights restoration than an true path toward restoration.

 

We also object to the immunities granted DHS.

 

 

[mauserme]

Thanks for everyone's efforts on these bills.  They got the better of us today but rest assured we remain firmly opposed to all three in spite of ISRA's support on two.  If they pass over to the Senate we'll give it another try.

 

 

[rmart]

Why do I have an email from ISRA saying to support HB4999 and IC is saying oppose it?

 

And, once I've submitted a witness slip, how do I edit or delete it?

 

 

Edited May 21, 2026 at 11:25 AM by rmart

[davel501]

On 5/21/2026 at 6:23 AM, rmart said:

Why do I have an email from ISRA saying to support HB4999 and IC is saying oppose it?

 

And, once I've submitted a witness slip, how do I edit or delete it?

 

 

 

Scroll up. 

[Euler]

To edit a witness slip, go to the list of your witness slips and click the edit link next to the one you want to edit. (It only works if you logged in to submit the slip.)

You cannot delete witness slips.

[Euler]

I'm not trying to throw gasoline, but in my inbox today from ISRA regarding HB 4999:

ISRA said:

...
Unfortunately, many opposition witness slips are being filed simply because the bill is assigned to the Gun Violence Prevention Committee or because of assumptions about the sponsor. We encourage members to actually review the legislation and understand what this bill does.

HB4999 is about restoring a basic level of fairness and accountability to a system that currently lacks both.
...

[mauserme]

It's really more about paying lip service to the idea of fairness and accountability.