MENU
SEARCHThe Protect Illinois Communities Act (HB 5471) bans the sale of all assault weapons and magazines in the state. It also requires owners to register existing guns, among other provisions. Pritzker signed the bill into law on Tuesday night.
At least 30 county sheriffs in Illinois are refusing to enforce the state’s new “assault weapons” ban because they contend it violates the Second Amendment.
Gov. JB Pritzker preemptively threatened to fire sheriffs who do not comply with the new law, which went into effect immediately, WMBD reports.
The Protect Illinois Communities Act (HB 5471) bans the sale of all assault weapons and magazines in the state. It also requires owners to register existing guns, among other provisions. Pritzker signed the bill into law on Tuesday night.
LaSalle County Sheriff Adam Diss, Fulton County Sheriff Jon Webb, Knox Country Sheriff Jack Harlan, and Woodford County Sheriff Matt Smith released identical statements deeming the law unconstitutional and say they will not enforce it.
“The right to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right. I, among many others, believe that HB 5471 is a clear violation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Therefore… 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 solely arrested with non-compliance of this Act.”
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association released a statement opposing the legislation.
“The ISA is extremely disappointed in the passage and enactment of HB 5471, that further regulates and limits the purchase of a wide variety of weapons for lawful gun owners…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. However, this law does not do that. We will continue to advocate on behalf of Sheriffs, all of law enforcement and the law-abiding citizens throughout Illinois.”
Counties refusing to enforce the law include: Clay, Edwards, Dekalb, Dewitt, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Iroquois, Jefferson, Jo Daviess, Kankakee, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Logan, Massac, McLean, McDonough, Ogle, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Randolph, Richland, Stephenson, Tazewell, Washington, Wayne, White, Winnebago, and Woodford.
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Aimpoint is marking its 50th anniversary in 2025, celebrating five decades of red dot innovation trusted by military, law enforcement, and tactical professionals worldwide.
Read More →
“Our newest weapon light provides an industry-leading level of candela for handguns, giving users enhanced visibility under low light conditions, such as when searching a dark alley,” said Streamlight President Michael F. Dineen.
Read More →
This device by itself, regardless if it is installed on a slide or not, is classified by the ATF to be a machine gun, which is illegal to possess,” the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said.
Read More →
The police department says the largely enclosed new facility will reduce the noise from the shooting range, also used by bomb squad trainees and Correction officers, which has been active since 1960.
Read More →The legislation would permit LEOSA-qualified officers and law enforcement retirees to carry in state, local, and private property otherwise open to the public; national parks; certain federal public access facilities; and school zones.
Read More →
The survey of working officers shows that police have embraced handgun optics with great enthusiasm. Of the officers who completed our entire survey, 77% said their agencies allow them to use handgun optics on duty.
Read More →The new ordinance allows police to use non-lethal weapons such as blast balls and pepper spray but requires those methods to be approved by the chief of police.
Read More →
The design of the 590M provides balance and weight distribution and increased capacity while also allowing for the more compact conditions often required for breaching.
Read More →