On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee held a subject matter hearing on House Bill 4383 Senate Floor Amendment 2, to ban individuals from making their own firearms for personal use, and voted to advance the measure. Then, in the dead of night, both chambers of the General Assembly voted to pass it. It will now go to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk for his consideration. Please contact Gov. Pritzker and ask him to VETO HB 4383.
House Bill 4383 Senate Floor Amendment 2 essentially ends the centuries-old practice of individuals building lawful firearms for personal use. It prohibits transfer or possession of certain unfinished firearm parts that are not regulated under federal law, as well as firearms without serial numbers, with an exemption for pre-1968 firearms and antiques.
It requires anyone who wishes to keep their previously legal items to have a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) apply a serial number to them. The FFLs are required to review and verify the FOID cards of those who bring in items to serialize and to maintain records of the serial numbers they apply. This only harasses and inconveniences law-abiding hobbyists who like to build their own firearms. It is already illegal under state and federal law for prohibited persons, such as felons, to possess any firearms, whether commercially made or home built.
Again, please contact Gov. Pritzker and ask him to VETO HB 4383.