Macon Reporter

Illinois State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) recently reaffirmed his support for the Second Amendment as Democratic lawmakers pushed a firearm ban through the house.

"I will always support your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The fight is just getting started!" Caulkins wrote in a Jan. 6 Facebook post.

Caulkins made his statement after the House of Representatives approved an unconstitutional firearm ban. 

Illinois State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) | https://repcaulkins.com

According to ABC 7 News, Senate Bill 2226 would ban the sale of assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines with more than 12 rounds. The bill would also criminalize devices that turn semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic guns, extend the duration of a Firearm Restraining Order (FRO) from six months to up to a year, including renewal FROs and would remove a provision to raise the age to get a Firearm Owner Identification card from 18 to 21.

SB 2226 would also create a commission made up of law enforcement personnel, a representative of the Attorney General's office and others to advise on education and implementation of the Firearms Restraining Order Act. 

"I opposed the firearm ban approved by Democrat lawmakers as I believe this bill without a doubt is unconstitutional. This firearm ban chips away at our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and it limits the ability of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families at home," Caulkins said in a press release. "If this ban on hundreds of firearms becomes law, it could potentially turn law-abiding gun owners into felons if they don’t register their banned firearms required to be registered with the state. Setting up a gun registry of legally purchased firearms by law-abiding gun owners is one step closer to another law that will require the tracking of all guns purchased in the state. I will always support the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The legislation pushed by Cook County Democrat lawmakers tonight is overreaching and certainly unconstitutional.”

Dan Caulkins is a state representative who resides in Decatur, according to the Illinois House. A Republican, he was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018 and his legislative experience includes serving on the Public Utilities and Prescription Drug Affordability.