East Central Reporter

Coles County Sheriff Kent Martin will not enforce the registration provision of the gun ban enacted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in early January. 

Martin said his office "will continue to respond to and investigate crimes involving firearms which occur within our jurisdiction and will exercise discretion based on the facts of each individual case, but we will not be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their firearms with the state.”

“When I assumed the office of Coles County Sheriff, I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America,” Martin said in a statement. “That is a responsibility I take very seriously. As sheriff, it is my duty and obligation to protect and defend the rights provided to all of us through that document. One of those rights is the right of the people to keep and bear arms guaranteed under the 2nd amendment.” 

Martin, a 27-year veteran law enforcement officer and a former Chief of Police at Eastern Illinois University's Police Department, said the legislation does not provide a more reliable and secure environment. 

“Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed legislation requiring gun owners to register certain firearms with the Illinois State Police and pay a fee for doing so, even if the firearm has been owned for many years. The legislation also places limitations on the capacity of ammunition magazines. Neither of these actions will make Coles County safer. As a parent and law enforcement officer, I am greatly concerned about the culture of violence in our society, but placing additional requirements on law-abiding citizens will not deter criminals or reduce gun violence.” 

Sheriffs across the state are refusing to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act – HB 5471 – that bans over 100 commonly owned firearms, State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) noted on his Facebook page. 

More than 80 of Illinois’ 102 counties have said they will not enforce the ban due to constitutional violations, according to Colion Noir. 

The ban affects 170 types of guns commonly available in the state. 

The law classifies all semi-automatic weapons as assault weapons. The law also requires certain firearms to be registered, according to Central Illinois Proud. 

The Illinois State Rifle Association, the Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., and the Second Amendment Foundation, along with several gun owners from across Illinois have filed joint action in federal court against the State of Illinois over the ban, according to Chicago City Wire.