Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Committee Advances HB 4471 to Address Growing Threat of DIY Machine Guns

Advocates Thank Gun Violence Prevention Committee for Taking Action, Call on Speaker Welch and House Leadership to Bring Bill to Floor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Today, the Illinois House Gun Violence Prevention Committee advanced HB 4471, the Responsible Gun Manufacturers Act, which addresses the growing threat of DIY machine guns by prohibiting the future sale of pistols that can be easily converted into fully automatic weapons using illegal conversion devices known as "switches." The vote comes after advocates from across Illinois traveled to Springfield this week for an advocacy day demanding lawmakers move the legislation before the end of session, as communities across the state continue facing the escalating danger posed by illegally modified machine guns.

Machine guns are illegal under both federal and Illinois law, but criminals are increasingly circumventing those laws using cheap conversion devices that can turn semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons in minutes. In Chicago alone, police recovered more than 1,100 of these illegally modified pistols between 2021 and 2023.

"This vote sends a clear message that Illinois lawmakers understand the urgency of this growing threat and are committed to protecting communities before more lives are lost," said Laurie Gingrich, volunteer with the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action. "We are grateful to the members of the Gun Violence Prevention Committee and the Gun Violence Prevention Caucus who refused to ignore the spread of DIY machine guns across Illinois. But with only days left in session, time is running out. We call on Speaker Welch and House leadership to bring HB 4471 to the floor immediately and get this lifesaving legislation across the finish line."

"For students and young people, this issue is terrifying because we are the generation growing up practicing lockdown drills while weapons capable of firing dozens of rounds in seconds continue spreading in our communities," said Ajani Crenshaw, gun violence survivor and survivor fellow with Students Demand Action. "Today's vote was an important step forward, but it cannot be the last one. Illinois lawmakers have an opportunity right now to stop this threat from growing even worse, and students across the state are demanding they act before the session ends."

DIY machine guns have increasingly appeared at crime scenes across Illinois, including incidents involving multiple victims and attacks on law enforcement officers. A converted pistol can fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute, dramatically increasing the likelihood of mass casualties and placing bystanders, neighboring homes, and first responders at risk.

HB 4471 is a forward-looking measure that does not impact current gun owners or prohibit lawful possession of firearms already owned. Instead, the legislation establishes a basic product safety standard going forward by ensuring that semi-automatic pistols sold in Illinois cannot be easily converted into illegal machine guns using common household tools and illegal conversion devices.

Advocates are urging House leadership to immediately schedule HB 4471 for a floor vote before adjournment.