The Illinois Supreme Court gun ban has left many gun store owners across the state anticipating major changes in the coming weeks. With the Southern District of Illinois soon to issue a ruling on whether to permanently strike down the state’s gun and magazine ban, Compliance Directors like Nicole Guvenoz of GAT Guns in East Dundee are making preparations. Gun stores, both large and small, have faced uncertainty since the ban was enacted, and a new ruling could significantly alter the business landscape for firearm retailers throughout Illinois.
Sometime after October 20, 2024, U.S. District Judge Stephen McGlynn is expected to deliver a ruling on the constitutionality of the gun and magazine ban passed in January 2023. McGlynn previously issued a preliminary injunction against the law, but that decision was later reversed on appeal. Now, gun owners and retailers alike await a final decision that could either lift the ban or cement it as law. The case, which has gone through multiple levels of litigation, has created a climate of confusion and anticipation among Illinois’ gun community.
Impact of the Illinois Supreme Court Gun Ban on Retailers
GAT Guns, one of the state’s largest firearms retailers, has remained proactive despite the restrictions brought by the Illinois Supreme Court gun ban. According to Guvenoz, GAT Guns is prepared to deliver firearms to customers who bought them last year but couldn’t take possession due to the legal hurdles. If Judge McGlynn issues a permanent injunction, Guvenoz said, “We only need a cleared check, we don’t need a full 72-hour background check because they have already entered into the contract for the purchase of the sale of the gun.”
This preparation highlights the unique challenges that gun retailers face under the current legal environment. Illinois’ ban on more than 170 types of semi-automatic firearms, including handguns and rifles, and magazines over a certain capacity, has caused delays in delivery and uncertainty in sales. However, not all gun stores have been affected equally by the Illinois Supreme Court gun ban. For example, Robert Bevis, owner of Law Weapons in Naperville, has seen his business hit even harder due to local regulations that compound the effects of the statewide ban.
Sales Trends Amid the Ban
Interestingly, despite the restrictions posed by the Illinois Supreme Court gun ban, GAT Guns has reported a surprising increase in firearm sales over the past few months. Guvenoz stated that while most of the demand has been for handguns, there has also been a surge in interest in “compliant rifles” that meet the current legal standards. These compliant models are being introduced by manufacturers, allowing customers to purchase rifles that don’t fall under the restrictions of the ban. This uptick in sales demonstrates that even in the face of stringent legislation, there remains significant demand for firearms in Illinois.
However, the situation is markedly different for other retailers like Law Weapons, which are also subject to local ordinances that have compounded the impact of the state’s gun ban. Bevis pointed out that Naperville has a standalone ban on semi-automatic firearms that predates the state’s law, enacted in November 2022. This local ordinance further restricts what Bevis can sell, preventing his store from experiencing the same sales recovery seen at GAT Guns. “That small freedom week that we did have on that injunction was only for the state of Illinois, that particular case,” Bevis explained. “It did not affect the local ordinance in Naperville and that’s what’s been keeping us tied down here.”
Bevis also highlighted that the scope of the Illinois Supreme Court gun ban is extensive, affecting even some handguns with large factory capacities. This has been a significant problem for stores like Law Weapons, where many standard models fall under the ban’s restrictions.
The Future of Illinois Gun Laws
As Judge McGlynn prepares to issue a final ruling on the Illinois Supreme Court gun ban, gun retailers and customers alike remain in a state of uncertainty. The bench trial, which concluded on September 20, 2024, saw both sides presenting their arguments, with McGlynn allowing 30 days for final briefs. Many expect that McGlynn, who previously issued an injunction against the ban, may rule in favor of striking it down permanently. If that happens, it could lead to a surge in sales and deliveries across the state as stores like GAT Guns clear out backlogged orders.
However, even if the ban is lifted, local ordinances like those in Naperville will continue to restrict sales in certain regions, leaving some store owners in a difficult position. For Bevis and Law Weapons, the outcome of the federal case may have little impact on their ability to sell firearms as long as local restrictions remain in place.
What Lies Ahead for Illinois Gun Stores
The Illinois Supreme Court gun ban has placed a heavy burden on gun retailers throughout the state, but the upcoming ruling by Judge McGlynn could bring relief for many. Stores like GAT Guns are hopeful that a permanent injunction will allow them to fulfill delayed orders and see a continued rise in sales. On the other hand, stores located in regions with additional local restrictions may continue to face challenges even if the statewide ban is lifted. As the legal battle over Illinois gun laws continues, gun retailers and their customers are watching closely, waiting to see what the future holds.
This period of anticipation serves as a reminder of how legal changes, whether at the state or local level, can have far-reaching consequences for businesses and communities. As the legal landscape shifts, so too will the strategies and operations of gun stores across Illinois.
