More and more Illinois sheriffs have a message for Governor J. B. Pritzker: Go pound sand. Less than 48 hours after the big guy signed House Bill 5471 into law, 33 34 sheriffs have made it clear they aren’t going to enforce the new gun and magazine ban. Or gun registration.
It started with a joint statement from Perry County where the sheriff and state’s attorney published an open letter announcing their intention to ignore the new gun ban.
Then, one after another, more sheriffs lined up to put their names to statements. They all pretty much follow the same script.
Statement from Sheriff Tadelman Regarding House Bill 5471 https://t.co/tt3KMhmK0L pic.twitter.com/XT3JCXcBOq
— McHenry Co. Sheriff (@McHenrySheriff) January 11, 2023
Here is a list of counties…
Jo Davies
Stephenson
Winnebago
McHenry
Ogle
Whiteside
Lee
LaSalle
Grundy
Kankakee
Knox
Woodford
Hancock
McDonough
Fulton
Tazewell
Logan
Piatt
Greene
Macoupin
Shelby
Coles
Richland
Wabash
Monroe
Randolph
Perry
Franklin
Edwards
White
Massac
Sangamon
Vermilion
Kane
Jefferson
From NBC5 Chicago . . .
As potential legal fights percolate over Illinois’ new assault weapons ban, law enforcement officials in several counties have said that their departments will not enforce provisions of the bill that require existing weapons to be registered with the State Police.
Their arguments center around their stance that the bill, which makes it illegal for Illinois residents to purchase, transfer or manufacture assault weapons and extended magazines, violates the Second Amendment.
McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman was one of numerous law enforcement officials throughout the state who shared messages on social media in the aftermath of the bill’s passage.
In a statement, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office called the messages “political grandstanding at its worst,” and said that sheriffs and departments that refuse to enforce the ban are “in violation of their oath of office.”
“The assault weapons ban is the law of Illinois. The General Assembly passed the bill and the governor signed it into law to protect children in schools, worshippers at church and families at parades from the fear of sudden mass murder,” a spokesperson said. “Sheriffs have a constitutional duty to uphold the laws of the state, not pick and choose which laws they support and when…”
“Anybody who doesn’t comply, there are consequences for that,” he said. “You don’t get to choose which laws you comply with in the state of Illinois. The State Police is responsible for enforcement, as are all law enforcement all across this state. They will, in fact, do their job or they won’t be in their job.”
“You don’t get to choose which laws you comply with in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said. That’s rich for a guy who routinely flouts federal immigration law.
From the State Journal-Register last year:
Illinois will effectively end immigrant detention and further restrict local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration authorities under a plan Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law Monday.
The new law targets local government agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement allowing jails to house immigrant detainees awaiting court hearings. Current contracts must end by January 2022 and new agreements are prohibited.
And another three laws he signed, covered by The Center Square:
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed three bills Friday designed to help and protect illegal immigrants in Illinois, including a measure that would prohibit law enforcement agencies from coordinating with federal immigration authorities.
A downstate Republican called it a Sanctuary State policy and said Illinois doesn’t have jurisdiction over federal immigration law.
Pritzker signed the Keeping Illinois Families Together Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
Illinois has always been a state that welcomes refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers with dignity and respect, and we’re proud to continue that tradition. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Fnd85TpvLE
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) September 1, 2022
That makes it kinda hard to criticize the 34+ sheriffs for picking and choosing which laws they’ll enforce. Not that the clear hypocrisy on display will stop him.
Bless his heart.