West Central Reporter

McDonough County Sheriff Nicholas M. Petitgout said he will not be enforcing the sweeping gun ban recently singed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 

“I, among many others, believe that HB 5471 is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution.”  Petitgout said in a statement. “Therefore, as the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement official for McDonough County, that 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 charged solely with noncompliance of this Act.”

Sheriffs across the state are refusing to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act – HB 5471 – that bans over 100 commonly owned firearms. 

Eighty-five of Illinois’ 102 counties have said they will not enforce the ban due to what they see as constitutional violations. The ban affects 170 types of guns commonly available in the state.

The law classifies all semi-automatic weapons as assault weapons, and requires certain firearms to be registered. 

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.