At the Dec. 15 House Judiciary Committee hearing on HB5855, a bill that would ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons in the state, gun rights supporter Abraham Avalos described being on the scene at the Independence Day parade in Highland Park where a shooter killed seven and wounded 48.
Avalos said he left his firearm in his vehicle as he knew it was restricted from the public event.
After the shooting, he said he traced the parade route until he found wounded individuals whom he then helped stabilize until medical professionals could arrive.
“We think about our loved ones every day and with our friends, and especially in the world that we live in,” Avalos told the committee.
“I've always known that there's always going to be people who obey laws. There's people who are not going to obey laws. There's people who are going to have respect for life. And there's people who are not going to have respect for life. I know that as a gun owner, because that's why I carry. That's why I'm a gun owner, to protect my life, the lives of my family members, the lives of all of my friends and other people. That's why I'm a gun owner.”
“So I knew even back then that something has to be done on the state legislators' side of politics. And I understand why you guys support this bill. I understand (this legislation) coming from Bob Morgan. You are a nice person. The times that I met you, you really are. I understand why you think that this bill is going to help. It's not. I hate to say it to you, in my personal belief."
Another hearing will be held on HB5855 on Dec. 20.
Avalos is a member of State Line Rifle Association based out of Round Lake Park.
His testimony came at the second hearing of HB5855, which critics are saying is unconstitutional.
It would outlaw several common semi-automatic weapons and magazines currently possessed by law-abiding gun owners. HB5855 would ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons in the state and create a registry to track those who legally own them.
The move to outlaw these weapons in Illinois has drawn severe criticism.
The Illinois State Rifle Association and others have vowed to purse legal action if the legislation passes.
“Anti-2nd Amendment politicians in Springfield have filed HB5855 with the full support of the most anti-gun Governor this state has ever seen, Gov. Pritzker,” ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson said in an email.
“The proposed legislation, which they hope to vote on in early January, would ban certain semi-automatic pistols, rifles, and shotguns along with any magazine that has a capacity of greater than 10 rounds including any magazine for your handguns. While technically they are not coming for your kids, the Government believes they know best and will not allow any person under 21 to have a FOID card unless they are in the military.”
State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield), the bill’s sponsor, was also at the Highland Park shooting.
The alleged gunman, Robert Crimo III, was issued a gun permit by the Illinois State Police despite having red flags on his record for mental illness and instances of violence, which many are calling a failure of the governor’s office.
“Had the Pritzker administration done what they said they were going to do, which was to review and make sure laws already on the books were being implemented more effectively, the tragedy in Highland Park might never have occurred,” Sen. Donald DeWitte (R-St. Charles) said in a statement.
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