Illinois may be closer to gun confiscation than anyone thought, according to attorney William Kirk, president of Washington Gun Law. In a recent video filmed at Gat Guns in East Dundee, Illinois, Kirk warned that a dangerous legal path is unfolding – one that could set the stage for large-scale firearms seizures, or something that looks a lot like it.
Thousands of Illinois residents legally purchased so-called “assault weapons” during a short window of time in 2023, when state bans were temporarily blocked. Now, due to a court ruling in Reese v. Raoul, those very same firearms may no longer be considered lawfully possessed, despite being bought legally. Kirk believes this legal trap could lead to either direct confiscation or something just as severe: the revocation of FOID cards.
The “Freedom Week” That Changed Everything
In May 2023, a brief injunction paused Illinois’ ban on semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines. This time period, dubbed “Freedom Week” by Kirk and local gun owners, saw a rush of sales. Retailers like Gat Guns were flooded with lawful transactions. But the legality of those sales didn’t last.
Kirk and Gat Guns manager Nicole explained that while purchases during Freedom Week were lawful, the state later required those firearms to be registered, and only if they had been acquired before January 10, 2023. That’s a big problem. Anyone who bought a firearm legally during the injunction can’t now claim they owned it before the cutoff date.
Legal Trap Set by the State
That registration deadline created what Kirk calls a “trap.” According to Illinois law, you must swear under penalty of perjury that your banned firearm was owned before January 10, 2023. Anyone who bought one during Freedom Week, or under a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), can’t truthfully make that statement.
The result? Thousands of people in Illinois now possess firearms they legally purchased but can’t legally register. And now, thanks to the Reese v. Raoul ruling, those people could be in violation of the law just by continuing to own those guns.
A Database Already Exists
As Kirk points out, the state doesn’t have to do much detective work to find out who owns these firearms. Gun shops like Gat Guns are legally required to maintain records, which both the ATF and Illinois State Police can access. The 4473 forms include detailed information – make, model, serial number, and buyer’s name.
Nicole confirmed that these records exist in electronic format, making it very easy for law enforcement to isolate purchases made during the restricted period. “It’s not a lot of sleuthing,” Kirk said. The state could easily compile a list of all individuals who bought banned firearms during the injunction.
FOID Cards: A Powerful Tool for Control
Illinois’ Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card system gives the state a backdoor to enforcement. Kirk warns that the state could avoid outright confiscation, which would be controversial and difficult to enforce. Instead, Illinois could simply send letters notifying residents that their FOID card is being revoked unless they turn in or sell the firearm in question.
No court hearing would be necessary. As Kirk noted, FOID cards can be pulled without any kind of judicial review. All it takes is a letter. And once that card is gone, the legal right to own any firearm in Illinois disappears instantly.
The Confiscation Without the Raid
In his video, Kirk is careful to say he doesn’t believe mass door-to-door confiscation is likely, at least not in the traditional sense. But mass revocation of FOID cards? That, he says, is entirely within the realm of possibility. And it would achieve nearly the same effect.
Rather than storm homes, the state could simply demand “voluntary” compliance. Letters could give residents 30 days to prove they got rid of the firearm or moved it out of state. If they don’t, their FOID card is revoked. Without that card, the rest of their guns become illegal, too.
Why This Should Matter to Everyone
While Kirk’s warning focuses on Illinois, he says it’s a message for all Americans – especially those in states with pre-purchase licensing requirements like Washington and Oregon. The key danger is the combination of licensing systems and centralized recordkeeping. Together, they give the state the power to target gun owners with precision.
Kirk emphasized that this isn’t some distant, unlikely theory. It’s already happening. Illinois residents followed the law, bought guns during a court-ordered injunction, and are now being told they can’t legally possess them. “You were set up,” he said plainly.
The Hidden Cost of Compliance
What’s especially troubling, Kirk notes, is that law-abiding citizens are the ones being hurt. These aren’t criminals. These are people who acted in good faith, followed the rules, and made lawful purchases. Now they’re being forced into impossible legal corners.
Nicole, the general manager at Gat Guns, echoed this frustration. “There was no recourse,” she said. No way for customers to protect themselves after the fact. They were encouraged to buy, only to be punished later for doing so.
Commentary: This Is a Blueprint
Let’s be blunt. What’s happening in Illinois is a case study in how to disarm the public without ever passing a new law. Kirk’s breakdown is alarming because it shows how data, bureaucracy, and vague legal timelines can be used to turn law-abiding citizens into criminals overnight.
What’s fascinating, and terrifying, is how clean the method is. No flashbangs, no raids, no headlines. Just letters in the mail and revoked ID cards. It’s confiscation by paperwork. And it could happen anywhere licensing and registration exist.
Why It’s Not Just About Illinois
Illinois might be the test site, but this approach could spread. Other states already have the tools. A few tweaks to laws, a court ruling or two, and the same process could be repeated. The biggest takeaway from Kirk’s analysis is this: don’t assume your compliance will protect you.
Gun owners in Illinois bought their firearms legally. They registered when told to. They kept their FOID cards up to date. And still, they’re now at risk of losing it all. That’s a warning every gun owner in America should hear loud and clear.
The Bottom Line: Be Informed, Stay Prepared
William Kirk and Washington Gun Law have once again sounded the alarm – this time on a threat that’s creeping in without fanfare. Confiscation may not come with jackboots on your porch, but it can still happen, quietly and efficiently.
If you live in a state with firearms licensing, pay attention to how data is being collected and used. And if you’re in Illinois, now’s the time to talk to an attorney, review your purchases, and be ready for what may come. The future of gun rights may depend more on paperwork than firepower.
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Image Credit: Survival World
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A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.