Illinois’ “assault weapon” ban (HB5471) has passed into law and has so far failed to obtain a preliminary injunction blocking its enforcement (even on appeal). It is, therefore, currently in full force and effect.
HB 5471 states explicitly that an “assault weapon” must be a semiautomatic firearm. It then describes certain offending features said semiautomatic firearm must have for it to fall into the law’s definition of an “assault weapon” (see Sec. 24-1.9.a.(1) on page 84).
However, the law specifically EXCLUDES firearms that are manually operated (e.g., bolt-action) from the definition of an “assault weapon.”
This exclusion clause (see Sec. 24-1.9.a.(2) on page 93) reads:
“Assault weapon” does not include:
A firearm that is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action, unless the firearm is a shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
An in-depth legal analysis will be coming soon.