East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) is highlighting local sheriffs who are refusing to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act – HB 5471 – that bans over 100 commonly owned firearms. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has threatened local law enforcement for not enforcing the law which is currently undergoing a legal challenge.

“Sheriffs refusing to enforce Democrats' gun ban,” Miller posted on Facebook.

Miller noted the opposition on his website. 

“At least 30 Illinois county sheriffs are refusing to enforce the newly-passed assault weapons ban because they contend it violates the Second Amendment,” Miller said.

Counties refusing to implement the ban 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. 

The Protect Illinois Communities Act redefined all semi-automatic weapons as so-called “assault weapons.” However, many local law enforcement officials note they deem the law to be unconstitutional and are unable to enforce it. The law requires local firearms be registered.

The so-called Protect Illinois Communities Act outlaws several commonly owned types of firearms and magazines. As many as five million firearms and 10 million magazines in the state may be affected. Gun rights advocates have begun litigation against the state, noting it is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.

The law became effective on Jan. 10 after it was signed by Pritzker. It demands the Illinois State Police lead the effort to register guns and magazines in the state.

“(g) The Illinois State Police shall take all steps necessary to carry out the requirements of this Section within by October 1, 2023,” the public act reads. 

“(h) The Department of the State Police shall also develop and implement a public notice and public outreach campaign to promote awareness about the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly and to increase compliance with this Section.”

State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) spoke out against sweeping gun control legislation before it passed the senate and was signed by Pritzker. 

“Law-abiding citizens will be on a list,” Bryant said on the Senate floor. 

“On a database for what? For what? Because they're exercising their Second Amendment right to own a firearm. And let's face it, on these databases, or if it's a boy designation or whatever it is, a year and a half ago, the FOID system got hacked. So we're still seeing repercussions from that, those FOID information being hacked and trying to get past that.”