Illinois Sheriffs Refusing to Enforce New “Assault Weapon” Ban

Conservative News DailyJanuary 12, 2023

Numerous Sheriffs Illinois counties on Wednesday said they won’t enforce a new ban on so-called “assault weapons” Governor. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday.

Iroquois County Sheriff Clinton J. Perzee was among a number of Illinois law enforcement officials who took to social media following the passage of the bill, arguing that it violates the Second Amendment.

“The right to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the people,” Perzee In a letter. “I, among many others, believe that HB 5471 is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

On Dec. 13, 2022, the Iroquois County Board passed Resolution R2022-102 in opposition to the bill being enacted and further resolved at the time not to enforce or support the law through the “use of county funds, appropriation, personnel, or property.”

As the Iroquois County Jail’s custodian and chief law enforcement official, Perzee said that neither he nor his office would check to ensure that “lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, nor will we be arresting or housing law abiding individuals that have been arrested solely with non-compliance of this Act.”

He stated that additional gun-related crimes would be continued to be investigated and enforced.

‘Right to Keep and Bear Arms’

Edwards County Sheriff Darby Boewe posted a similar message on social media, saying that he had sworn to uphold the Constitution rights of Americans when elected to office.

“Part of my duties that I accepted upon being sworn into office was to protect the rights provided to all of us, in the Constitution,” Boewe In a letter. “One of those rights enumerated is the right of the people to KEEP and BEAR ARMS provided under the 2nd Amendment. The right to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the people.”

Nearly identical letters were shared by sheriffs from Logan County, Kankakee County, Piatt County, LaSalle County, Knox County, Pike County, Putnam County, St. Clair County, Union County, Wabash County, Woodford County, Williamson County, Wayne County, Shelby County, Ogle County, Jo Daviess, and more.

These messages are from law enforcement officers “political grandstanding at its worst,” Pritzker’s office said in a statement obtained by local media. The governor’s office reportedly claimed that sheriffs and departments that refuse to enforce the ban are “in violation of their oath of office.”

Bill’s Passage

The Democrat-controlled legislature in the state banned semiautomatic guns and magazines as well as devices that permit a weapon’s fire speed to increase on Monday.

The Protecting Illinois Communities Act passed the Illinois Senate on Monday night by a vote margin of 34–20. The bill makes it illegal for Illinois residents to purchase, transfer, or manufacture “assault weapons” Extended magazines

The following is an extract from the bill’s languageAnonymous “assault weapon” A semiautomatic rifle can accept a removable magazine. It also has a pistol grip, thumbhole stock, flash suppressor, barrel shroud or other characteristics.

Semiautomatic handguns with a threaded barrel and second pistol grip, flash suppressor, shroud and other features that accept a magazine detachable or can be easily modified to accept one are also considered an “assault weapon” The law.

A variety of AK rifles like the AR-10 or AR-15 are considered assault weapons by the rules. Firearms of .50-caliber are also prohibited.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) said in a statement it was “extremely disappointed” The bill was approved, further restricting gun owners who are lawful to buy a range of weapons.

“The ISA has opposed this legislation throughout its development and remains opposed to the bill as passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor,” ISA’s statement reads. “We, as a representative of chief law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, are very concerned and disturbed by the ongoing and escalating violence throughout our State and Country.”

“We are always supportive of new tools, techniques and laws that assist us in preventing and holding accountable those that wage efforts of harm and violence on others,” It continued. “However, this new law does not do that. We will continue to advocate on behalf Sheriffs and the law-abiding citizens throughout Illinois.”

Commonly owned guns

The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America said the law banned many commonly owned rifles.

Virginia-based Gun Owners of America, (GOA), stated before Monday’s Senate vote that the bill sought to ban common firearms and condemned the requirement to register them within their state.

“Not only does this tyrannical proposition infringe on the rights of all Illinois citizens, but it is also extremely dangerous,” GOA said in a statement.

“These commonly owned semi-automatic firearms are used countless times every year to save lives and deter crime. Banning them will only prevent law-abiding citizens from purchasing the best firearm to defend themselves,” The statement was continued. “Not to mention, the requirement to register currently owned firearms is vehemently unconstitutional.”

Ahead of Pritzker’s signing of the bill, the NRA said that “many semi-automatic firearms that law-abiding citizens commonly own” Hunting and self-defense are now prohibited.

Between 1994 and 2004, the United States maintained a federal system. “assault weapons” The ban prohibited the production and sale of certain semiautomatic weapons as well as higher-capacity magazines. NRA and other groups have often referred to the Department of Justice’s report which concluded that there was no significant drop in shootings and deaths after the 1994 federal ban.

Jack Phillips contributed this report.