ST. LOUIS–Illinois’ new semi-automatic weapons ban is getting push back from law enforcement agencies across the state, including some in the Metro East.
The bill prohibits the sale or possession of semi-automatic weapons and requires those who have them to register them with state police.
Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing released a statement saying he believes HB 5471 is a clear violation of the Second Amendment and said he won’t be enforcing it.
Sheriff Rohlfing said in his letter “neither myself nor my office will be checking 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.”
There is similar sentiment in Madison County where Sheriff Jeff Connor says he won’t be enforcing it either. Connor and State’s Attorney Tom Haine released a joint statement Thursday saying they expect a court challenge.
Connor says until further direction from the courts, his department will not arrest those not in compliance and “will not expend its limited resources to check whether otherwise law-abiding gun owners have registered their weapons with the state.”
Haine’s office says it will exercise strict prosecutorial discretion.
St. Clair County Sheriff Richard Watson said he is disappointed in the law’s passage and has opposed it from the beginning. Watson says he will support any constitutional challenges that may occur.
The legislation was largely driven by the killing of seven people at a July 4th parade outside of Chicago last summer.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill, known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, Tuesday night. During the signing, he had this message for law enforcement.
"The reality is that the state police is responsible for enforcement, as are all law enforcement, all across the state," he said. "And they will, in fact, do their job or they won't be in their job."
The legislation bans dozens of specific brands or types of rifles and handguns, .50-caliber guns, attachments and rapid-firing devices. No rifle will be allowed to accommodate more than 10 rounds, with a 15-round limit for handguns.
Those who already own such guns will have to register them, including serial numbers, with the Illinois State Police. The new law enables merchants to sell or return current stock and Illinois-based manufacturers can sell their wares outside Illinois or to law enforcement.
The Madison County statement says the law bans many of the most popular firearms in America, firearms that are currently in common use for lawful purposes and which law-abiding citizens have legally owned for many years.
Sheriff’s departments in several other Illinois counties, including Greene and Macoupin, have said they won’t enforce the bill.
As of Thursday evening, there have been no legal challenges to the bill but critics expect they will come.
You can see a list of all the firearms included in the bill below.
