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State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Tuetopolis, hosted a media
availability on Wednesday alongside sheriffs from Crawford and
Jasper counties.
The focus was on the state's gun and magazine ban, which was
signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this month.
The law prohibits individuals from purchasing certain
semi-automatic weapons in Illinois and requires a gun registry
no later than Jan. 1, 2024. Magazines of more than 10 rounds for
rifles and 15 rounds for handguns are also banned. Multiple
lawsuits in both state and federal court have been filed
challenging the law and seeking to block further implementation.
Niemerg is a plaintiff in one of the state-level cases where a
temporary restraining order ruling could be issued in the days
ahead.
Crawford County Sherriff William Rutan said he would not enforce
the measure.
"We feel this law that has recently passed is unconstitutional,
and we are not going to enforce any of that law," Rutan said
Wednesday.
Jasper County Sheriff Brandon Francis also said his officers
would not enforce the law, saying his oath is to the
constitution and not to the governor.
"I don't have any fear from not enforcing this," he said. "When
I took my oath as sheriff, the second line in my oath was to
uphold the constitution of the United States of America."
Niemerg said more gun laws in Illinois are not the answer to
Illinois' gun-violence problems.
"We have some of the most stringent gun control laws in the
country, yet crime is still a major issue in Illinois," Niemerg
said. "How exactly is a new law going to accomplish what they
claim?"
Niemerg said the state needs to shift its focus from law-abiding
citizens to those actually committing gun violence in Illinois.
"Woke progressive states attorneys will not prosecute acts of
gun violence in their counties. They will call it mutual
combat," Niemerg said. "Yet they will prosecute honest citizens,
who wish to exercise their constitutional right."
Jasper and Crawford's counties join dozens of other sheriffs who
say they won't enforce the law. Gov J.B. Pritzker has urged all
law enforcement to either enforce the law or resign.
Andrew Hensel reports on issues in Chicago and
Statewide. He has been with The Center Square News since April
of 2021 and was previously with The Joliet Slammers.
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