Several Republican state legislators joined the Madison County Board in their opposition to the “assault weapons” ban signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker Tuesday evening during a lame duck session.
The Illinois State Senate approved an amended ban on more than 100 semi-automatic pistols, shotguns and rifles as well as “high capacity” magazines on Jan. 9. The House passed the bill on Jan. 10. Pritzker signed it into law that evening - the same day the lame duck session ended.
Opponents are preparing to sue, including 2022 Illinois attorney general candidate and Greenville lawyer Tom DeVore.
"We are pleased to announce that we are partnering with some other members of the legal profession to take action against Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly for the passage of HB 5471 which will severely restrict the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens in Illinois," an email from DeVore's law office stated. "We plan on bringing a lawsuit in the Illinois state court immediately. The state court action will address the unlawful manner of which the general assembly continues to pass laws by playing with procedure. Turning an insurance law into a gun grab at the last second is unacceptable. These violations of procedure must be addressed by our courts."
Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) said Tuesday that the law is unconstitutional.
“I voted against the firearm ban signed tonight by Governor Pritzker because I support the Second Amendment and believe this bill is unconstitutional,” Elik stated. “I am optimistic that law-abiding citizen’s right to keep and bear arms will prevail in court when this law is struck down.”
Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Highland) said the firearm ban would make criminals out of law-abiding gun owners. The law requires gun owners to register their firearms if they want to keep them.
“Criminals will always find a way to obtain guns illegally,” Meier stated before the bill was signed into law. “The latest firearm ban is unconstitutional and it will further diminish a law-abiding gun owner’s right to keep and bear arms.”
“Furthermore, this [law] will have ramifications to our state budget with the potential loss of many mom-and-pop gun stores,” he added. “I’m still not seeing Chicago or their county prosecutor do anything to stop the gang violence in the city. The firearm ban approved tonight won’t prevent the gang violence in the cities across our state, however, it will unfortunately diminish law-abiding gun owners the right to protect themselves and their family at home.”
In early December, Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia) opposed the push on banning “assault weapons,” criticizing the Democrats for focusing on legally owned weapons instead of working harder to protect law-abiding citizens from violent criminals.
“The 2nd Amendment is a cornerstone of our freedoms,” he stated. “If the majority party of Illinois made half the effort going after violent criminals and supporting our law enforcement that they do badgering and threatening law-abiding gun owners, all Illinois communities would be much safer and more livable. Of course, this is Springfield and, rather than pursuing effective policies to benefit all Illinoisans, there are some people here who have made a career out of virtue-signaling and advocating for the passage of clearly unconstitutional laws. Here we go again.”
The Madison County Board also passed a resolution 22-4, opposing an “assault weapons” ban during last month’s board meeting.
The resolution states that the right to keep and bear arms is guaranteed as a right under the Second Amendment and is “regarded as an inalienable right.”
“Whereas, the people have a God given obligation to provide for the common defense,” the resolution states.
“Whereas, a well-armed citizenry is the best protection against tyrannical government,” it continues.
Board members Doc Holliday (D-Alton), Bill Stoutenborough (D-Alton), Victor Valentine (D-Edwardsville) and Alison Lamothe (D-Edwardsville) voted against the resolution.
Mick Madison (R-Bethalto) thanked board members Bobby Ross (R-St. Jacob), Michael Turner (R-Godfrey) and Nick Petrillo (D-Granite City) for working together to bring the issue forward.
“We have Democrats and Republicans both sending the same message to Springfield, and that’s a very powerful message,” Madison said.
“There is no question that I think that law abiding citizens should be able to protect themselves with whatever means necessary,” Petrillo said.
Before the vote, Stoutenborough requested to have the Public Safety Committee draft a non-binding resolution to be included on the April ballot so Madison County residents could weigh in.
Turner encouraged board members to support the resolution, saying the “assault weapons” ban “turns law-abiding citizens into felons.”
Stoutenborough said he possesses pistols, rifles and shotguns, but does not have an assault rifle.
Turner responded, “Depending on the characteristics of your handguns, you may have an assault pistol on your hands.”
Terry Eaker (R-Bethalto) noted that the term “assault weapons” can be open to interpretation.
“I just want to remind everyone, when they use the term ‘assault weapons,’ David slayed Goliath with a slingshot,” Eaker said. “That’s an assault weapon. You want to get rid of them, too?”
Lamothe said she voted against the resolution in memory of the six people who were killed in Highland Park during a parade on July 4, 2022.