CHESTER – Randolph County Sheriff Jarrod Peters issued a public statement today indicating he and his deputies will not be enforcing certain provisions of the newly passed Protect Illinois Communities Act.
The law bans several types of firearms under the catch-all term “assault weapons.” The law allows persons who already own a banned weapon to keep, it as long as they register it with the government.
Peters said that provision is unconstitutional and he and his deputies would not enforce it or cite anyone for violating it.
The bill passed both houses of the Illinois legislature and has been signed by Gov. Pritzker.
Here is Sheriff Peters’ letter:
Citizens of Randolph County,
As your Sheriff, I wanted to give you an update on the recent passage of HB 5471, also known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act.
As your duly elected Sheriff my job is to protect the citizens of Randolph County. This is a job and responsibility that I take with the utmost seriousness. Part of the duties that I accepted upon being sworn into office was to protect the rights provided to all of us in the Constitution.
One of those enumerated rights is the right of the people to keep and bear arms provided under the 2nd amendment.
The right to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the people.
I, in conjunction with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association believe that HB 5471 is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Therefore, as the custodian of the jail and Chief Law Enforcement official of Randolph County, 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 arrested solely with non-compliance of this Act.
Sheriff,
Jarrod Peters