Illinois Senate should pass assault weapons ban

State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback receives a standing ovation from activists from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America during an Illinois House Judiciary Criminal Committee meeting on the state’s proposed assault weapon ban at the Bilandic Building in the Loop on Dec. 20, (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)

It’s time to put the handcuffs on easy access to weapons of war in Illinois.

When the Illinois Senate returns on Sunday and Tuesday, its members should pass legislation to protect Illinoisans by cracking down on powerful firearms that draw terrifying targets on our loved ones, our communities and ourselves. No one needs a weapon of war to hunt deer.