SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) led the Senate this morning in passing several proposals aimed at preventing gun violence and mass shootings. Morrison’s first proposal would increase the waiting period to purchase an assault weapon in Illinois from 24 to 72 hours.

“Increasing the waiting period to obtain an assault weapon ensures sufficient time to complete a background check and increases the ‘cooling off’ period for those who may cause harm to others,” said Morrison. “Requiring a 72-hour waiting period is a commonsense reform that will help keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Current Illinois law requires a 72-hour waiting period to obtain a handgun after purchase. Assault weapons, including the AR-15 and other military-style weapons, are only subject to a 24-hour waiting period.

House Bill 1468 would modify Illinois law and bring assault weapons in line with handguns that are already regulated under a 72-hour waiting period.

Morrison was the chief cosponsor on two additional gun safety measures passed by the Senate today, including a plan that would increase the age to purchase assault weapons to 21 and a measure that would ban “bump stocks” and give local control back to communities wishing to regulate assault weapons.

Bump stocks are attachments that enable a weapon to fire faster. A similar device was used in the shooting death of 58 people in Las Vegas in October.

“Today’s action by the Senate represents a common-sense response to the epidemic of gun violence in our neighborhoods and communities,” said Colleen Daley, Executive Director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICAHV). “On a day when students across our country say ‘Enough is Enough,’ we must strengthen our commitment to protecting every student in a classroom, every concert goer in a music hall and everyone who has been affected by senseless acts of violence.”

House Bill 1468, which would increase the waiting period to purchase assault weapons, now heads to the governor for his signature. House Bill 1465, which would increase the age to purchase assault weapons, and House Bill 1467, banning bump stocks and allowing local control of assault weapons, now head to the House for a concurrence vote. If passed, both measures would then be sent to the governor.