Biden White House throws spotlight two days in a row on Illinois assault weapons ban

Thousands join a community walk in Highland Park on Tuesday, one of many events marking the one-year anniversary of the July Fourth mass shooting. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)

WASHINGTON — For two days in a row, the White House has thrown a spotlight on how Illinois passed an assault weapons ban after the Highland Park shooting a year ago, urging other states to follow its lead.

But that praise only goes so far because the Illinois experience cannot — at this time — be replicated in most other states.