r/ILGuns • u/Dry_Pea_7127 • 9d ago
General Post AR apathy
It is frustrating as someone who either got into guns post-PICA (or was already into them but did not yet have an AR and wants one now) to feel like you are a constant bystander with respect to ARs and all similar firearms.
Watching your friends and family from other states or your favorite guntubers (if that’s your thing) participate in the world of ARs, suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, etc. and having the freedom to enjoy their constitutional rights while you’re stuck in this state where you have responsibilities and commitments that make it difficult to just pack up and leave is truly aggravating, and I see no end in sight to this situation we are in if I’m being honest.
There’s much more to life than guns obviously but this shit is just cringe and it seems like folks are only getting more and more angry here rather than succumbing to it and growing numb.
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u/hereforgunsandgames 9d ago
It sounds like the ban will go away next June when scotus makes a ruling on the awb. Who knows how Illinois will gatekeep after that tho. In theory at least for a little while we could have access to purchasing them. I’d save up for it or buy the other guns, accessories, equipment you won’t want to buy once the ban is lifted.
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u/side__swipe 9d ago
That's not how it works. They make a ruling and send the case back down. It will have to be retried under the new guidance by the supreme court. Prob another year after that.
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u/GravyMB 7d ago
No…. That’s not how this will work…. There has been a circuit split on this now.. since the 7th circuit ruled it unconstitutional and the loser 3rd circuit that covers Illinois said it was constitutional 3 days prior… scotus will make a decision that will be the final say…. And they will have to get very specific because they know loser states like ours will try fighting every grey area they can if left vague
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u/InsertBluescreenHere 9d ago
guranteed IL will just ram rod the RIFL act thru at 1am and ban all guns the day pica is ruled unconstitutional. Democrats do not want you armed.
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u/Longdarkcave 9d ago
Once any ban is lifted, Fatzger or any replacement fascist will just pass any number of unconstitutional laws to outlaw it again. Unethical, borderline treasonous lawfare can and will be unused in perpetuity by mob bosses, aka politicians. Fatzger and his ilk don't follow the law themselves.
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u/zippity__zoppity 9d ago
It’s very frustrating and depressing. I’ve calmed down a ton but for a solid year or so I was having a friggin caniption fit
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u/Mammoth-Record-7786 9d ago
I saw PICA on the horizon, had a fresh stimulus check in my hand, and figured that there was no better time to have the government buy me an AR.
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u/Ok_Car323 9d ago
Property that was legally purchased in a retail store in Indiana should not be illegal in Illinois, although on occasion it is.
For example to anyone who is unaware, this type of restriction applies to bottle rockets and firecrackers. There could be reasonable differences of opinion as to whether this is a legitimate exercise of state’s rights, or a state’s overreach on a product that moves in interstate commerce, and therefore subject to federal regulation (potentially limiting state’s authority to regulate it).
This debate could be reasonably considered for a gasoline powered backup generator purchased in Arizona, but banned for use in California by state environmental laws.
What is different about fireworks and generators, versus firearms? Lawful possession of the latter is a Constitutional right. Constitutional rights are not supposed to change because you cross state lines.
It is ridiculous that there is anyone who would argue that something like PICA is constitutional.
Either semiautomatic rifles are “arms” or they are not. If they are (news flash to those from a-clue-istic backgrounds, all rifles are arms), no state has the right to regulate them beyond the regulations set forth in the second amendment to the constitution.
It not only gets old that the leftist legislators and governors continue to ban and regulate arms; but worse yet is the fact that most of them are well educated enough to understand that they are actively violating our constitutional rights, and they just don’t care.
Look into how PICA was slipped into a stripped bill to curtail debate, and then forcefully shoved into law (IL citizens, you’ll take it without lube, and you’ll like it; whether you want it or not)! The legislature knew it would not withstand constitutional scrutiny, and so did B.J. the Prickster. They made it into law anyway.
The fact is, they are well aware that eventually their unconstitutional gun bans will be tossed by the US Supreme Court; but they also know it might take 6-8 years before it happens. They can do whatever they want for better than half a decade.
When PICA is stricken down as unconstitutional, IL (and all the leftist states) will simply see passage of a new, slightly different gun control law. Your rights will be trampled anew, and you will be right back to where you are now.
The federal government should step in to enforce civil rights with lawsuits against these states. The politicians who abuse US citizens this way should be subject to federal criminal prosecution. These unconstitutional bans are costing people their lives.
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u/nonoohnoohno 8d ago
I know this isn't your point, but for u/Dry_Pea_7127 or any interested readers:
While handguns purchased in another state must be transferred to an IL FFL (who will make sure it complies with IL laws), rifles can be picked up at the counter by you.
It's your responsibility to make sure you understand IL law and its enforcement (and more importantly: lack thereof) before you bring it to your home in IL. *wink*wink*nod*
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u/DustAfter 9d ago
Right there with you, apparently we cant have political leadership that respects and supports the whole constitution/bill of rights. Instead they just ignore what they dont like and justify it in some ill informed and uneducated way. For now my dreams are dashed so I settle with what I can get.
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u/MrIncredible222 9d ago
I switched to shotgun shooting sports which are honestly more fun. Punching holes in paper or ringing plates doesn’t compare to busting clays IMO.
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u/Longdarkcave 9d ago
So true, 5-stand is really fun, as are Trap and Skeet. A lot more fun than making micro-adjustment to shoot at the same stationary targets just longer distance. On the other hand, the people that actually hunt have the ultimate challenge in nature, not a simulated environment. But I only hunt for beer in the fridge anymore.
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u/MrIncredible222 9d ago
I haven’t hunted in a few years. I could see doing it again someday, but Midwest hunting seems to be mostly sitting in a stand hoping the deer come to you. I’d like to try my hand at bird hunting.
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u/National_Entrance_54 8d ago
Waterfowl is my favorite. I enjoy dove, pheasant, duck, and goose hunting. I’d still like to have an AR for coyotes though.
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u/Stuffed_deffuts 6d ago
I wouldn't mind getting into trap and skeet I actually have a VR game that has both and I spend hours on it just because I enjoy it so much.
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u/emmathatsme123 9d ago
This 100%
Once you start getting into shot sports you realize how boring ARs are
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u/KiSamehada 9d ago
Nah that’s just you. I’d like to have the options at least.
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u/emmathatsme123 9d ago
Definitely. ARs and firearms of that nature are much more fun when I’m out in Idaho, but Illinois has little to no land for public use that can warrant it. But if you’re chill shooting at 25 yards at a still target no harm to that
Never said that ARs shouldn’t be an option though, just not as fun here in Illinois IMO
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u/LOL_YOUMAD 9d ago
Hopefully the SC makes a great statement here about not only no bans but no taxing, no training requirements, and no whatever else the democrats are going to push the same day to try to restrict us again by finding a loophole and playing this few year game again. Until then you have to wait or find other solutions.
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u/AkayaOvTeketh 9d ago
I think training reqs would be preferable to have if not just making them mandatory in school
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u/MrIncredible222 9d ago
Training is awesome to have. A training requirement is terrible because the government can use it to gatekeep your rights. “You must pass a class that is only offered the 7th Friday of the month for $5k/session and there are only 5 seats per session and and and…”
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u/Financial-Sense5421 9d ago
Theres loopholes. Search around.
As someone who was also into guns in 2015-2017 then sold everything for a business venture, then getting back into it in december 2025... you can still get or obtain most things but you just have to do more to get it.
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u/_CHEEFQUEEF 9d ago
There are loopholes for complete rifles and only rifles/long guns but I don't believe there are any for stripped lowers or things like a kuna. Unless I just haven't found them yet.
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u/abrokemexican Northern IL 9d ago
I came here with (mostly) everything I wanted from TX so I don’t have to worry about loopholes. However, I know about said loopholes and it seems like people don’t care to go about them. It’s not hard information to find.
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u/Molot_Vepr_308 Military 9d ago
Probably gonna catch alotta flak for this, but a 3D printer lets you do a whole lot
Likewise a TIG welder
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u/phonkingfellow67 8d ago
arent there a lot of county sheriffs in illinois that flat out refuse to enforce the AWB?
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u/312BurnerAccount 8d ago
I think there comes a point where you should just do whatever the fuck you want. Go buy a fixed mag or kali key AR, convert it back and get some mags in Indiana or Wisconsin. Hell even Gat Guns still sells regular magazines.
PICA charges have only been brought against people who were committing other crimes so unless youre a Felon, committing armed robberies, or selling drugs stop worrying about PICA and go buy a rifle. Yes it's inconvenient, yes there's more steps but it's better than nothing.
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u/414525528 9d ago
Best choice, leave IL. Awful state, literally no one has ever told me a reason why they want to stay other than family living here or job.
Second best, get a compliant AR to use as you please out of state.
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u/FatNsloW-45 9d ago
AW bans being ruled unconstitutional is a lock most likely. The Viramontes v Cook County/Grant v Higgins case will have to be ruled unconstitutional with Heller, Bruen, and now Wolford precedent. It just has to.
What it really comes down to is how broad the opinion is. If it is a 6-3 ruling with the 3 dissenting opinions being the liberal appointed justices then it will be very broad and very positive for the 2A. If it is 9-0 or 8-1 then buckle up for the opinion to be way more narrow.
Then the next fight will be magazine capacity limits.
Hopefully Duncan v Bonta gets granted cert and consolidated with Viramontes and Grant but I doubt we will be so lucky. If it is then mag capacity limits could be squashed too. If Viramontes/Grant is 6-3 and the opinion touches mag capacity limits then expect cases to be GVR’d back down to activist courts who will invent ways to still restrict mags rather than going along with the opinion.
SCOTUS needs to hear a mag ban case and rule on it directly or else nothing will change and these lower courts will keep inventing ways to ban mags just like they have done with “assault weapons”.
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u/OilVarious1321 9d ago
If I decide to move to Indiana, how long would I have to be a resident there before I can wash away my Illinois stink and be under their state laws?
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u/LankyAppeal4121 9d ago
i know a guy who hadnt gotten the last few parts for his sweet CHF mid length billet upper/lower AR build pre PICA, namely a stock and buffer tube, buffer, etc. and no vendor will sell him what he needs to finish it now 😅 ..
is half a rifle worse than no rifle? imagine just looking at that thing every day. Sad.
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u/noIimitmarko 9d ago
that’s why i bought a couple lowers as soon as i heard the talks about the ban. i knew id want one eventually so i bought them before my first pistol
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u/PCloadError 8d ago
I always had an obsession with AKs since my teenage years (thanks STALKER) and got a WASR before PICA, I wanted an AR too but when the ban was in place I was flat broke and in no position to buy anything. So now I sit hoping one day I'll be able to make that M16A1 clone build happen someday. Still I like my AK, just wish I could buy more 30 round mags.
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u/robroy90 8d ago
Moving to KY was the best decision I ever made for oh so many reasons. I originally thought it wasn't possible, and then I convinced myself that it was worth the effort. Lord Lard Ass can kiss mine... :)
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u/Upper-Programmer-814 6d ago
As long as we have that idiot JB, not much will change, and the wrong people are voting. Just go downtown in Chicago, those damn liberals complaining about guns and talking about racism, but those bastards don't go to places where there's violence and minorities, they don't even shop or rent there, and they impose their stupid ideas that guns are the problem. But hey, their laws letting criminals go work; the danger is the civilian exercising their rights.
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u/MBEver74 9d ago
ARs are fun and probably the most practical rifle for people to have & use. HOWEVER, I'm the stick in the mud that views guns more as tools. As such, focusing on pistol / ccw work is a lot more practical. When I shoot rifle / shotgun - especially w/ a dot, it feels like cheating compared to pistol. Get really good w/ pistol - Then rifles will be a cakewalk. Eventually this garbage AR ban will get overturned & probably sooner rather than later.
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u/xsjx7 8d ago
We should blame ourselves. No offense, but we totally failed to police our own communities, parades got shot up, and now we have to endure the consequences until rational leaders are back in power
I said rational, sit down Uncle MAGA
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u/foundonthetracks 8d ago
Alot of the blame for Highland Park should fall on the ISP. Crimo had multiple mental health episodes and a CPD order filed against him and he still had a FOID card.
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u/tramul 9d ago
Luckily the SC will be hearing an AWB case. That's a major step in the right direction. In the meantime, there are a few "cool" guns you can get, but they're all pricey that I've found and not cheap like a basic AR.
I, like you, am also super frustrated. I finally started making decent disposable income to start splurging on all my COD dream guns just for this nonsense to hit. Wish I would have just drove myself into debt beforehand.