I tried to make this a broader question about gun control and Illinois’ laws, but I didn’t follow up well (the problem with interviews when you are watching your kids–I had a three year old curl up with me during this point).
On assault weapons, she supports the assault weapon ban and pointed out that she is very familiar with firearms both professionally and for recreational uses. She also stated she was the best shot amongst the four.
Duckworth supports waiting periods as exist in Illinois.
The question I didn’t follow up on was whether she supported the Illinois requirements for having an FOID. While not directly a federal issue, this is a hobby horse of mine.
“On assault weapons, she supports the assault weapon ban and pointed out that she is very familiar with firearms”
She must be lying then because anyone familiar with firearms knows that so called “assault weapons” (as available in US), are no different as far as lethality and firepower than your average semiautomatic rifle (say http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_RanchRifle.htm ) and the only reason for this ban is that they look like real assault weapons.
What makes an assault weapon deadly is the fact that it can fire in automatic mode, a capability that has been restricted to civilians since 1935.
Every damn AK-47 or M-16 look like you often see in gun shops are semiautomatic and fire less powerful cartridge than your average hunting rifle.
In other words, this ban is pointless for it makes on difference whatsoever and if you want to ban these guns on their lethality you would have to ban just about every damn non-single shot rifle out there.