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Senate Bill 754 passed the Senate late last month. It’s set to
be heard in a House committee with lawmakers back this week. The
measure could possibly be up for final passage before lawmakers
adjourn spring session May 19.
Binary explosive devices, the most common being Tannerite, are
used for long-range rifle target practice to indicate an
accurate shot from a distance.
State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Highwood, said her bill would limit
the sale of such prepackaged explosive components only from
licensed firearms dealers to those with Firearm Owner ID cards.
“This does not prevent anybody from purchasing that has a valid
FOID card, and really, that’s what it’s used for, it’s used for
target practice,” Morrison said during a Senate committee
hearing.
Morrison said in the aftermath of the Highland Park parade
shooting, the measure is necessary.
“After the 4th of July shooting in Highland Park, law
enforcement found large quantities of Tannerite in the shooter’s
home and he disclosed to law enforcement that he had intentions
of using this as bombs throughout the parade route,” Morrison
later said on the Senate floor late last month.
Morrison did not mention that the suspect in the Highland Park
shooting had a valid FOID card and could have still purchased
such explosives even if her bill was in place.
State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, opposed the bill. He said
the components to such commercially available packages are still
available separately.
“I’m telling you right now, if the manufacturers start seeing a
drop in sales, all they’re going to do is they’re going to
remove that packet and sell it separately,” Anderson said during
floor debate.
And even then, Anderson said people with evil intentions will
still do evil things, regardless of the law.
“The person that wants to do bad things with this, even if you
outlaw Tannerite completely, the brand name, you just need to
get aluminum shavings and fertilizer, and we can’t outlaw that,”
Anderson said during committee.
Senate Bill 754 is in the House Judiciary Criminal Committee,
which is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon. Witness slips in
support of the bill total 3. Around 750 witness slips oppose the
bill. It could be up for final passage in the House in the week
ahead.
Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and
other issues for The Center Square. Bishop has years of
award-winning broadcast experience and hosts the WMAY Morning
Newsfeed out of Springfield.
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