Respect for the Second Amendment in Illinois’ Largest County
Posted on August 24, 2012
On Tuesday, the Springfield, Illinois, State Journal-Register reported that the state’s attorney in McLean County (Bloomington area) announced that he would not enforce certain Illinois gun control laws that violate the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In particular, the county’s top prosecutor, Ronald Dozier, singled out the Illinois law that requires a person to possess a Firearm Owners Identification Card to be able to buy a gun.
“Our message is this,” Dozier said. “We will no longer use the power and authority of our office to criminalize and punish decent, otherwise law-abiding citizens who choose to exercise the rights granted to them by the Second Amendment of the United States’ Constitution to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and their families.” Dozier also noted that Illinois is the only state that still prohibits people from carrying concealed weapons.
Prospective firearm carriers take note, however: McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery, while agreeing with Dozier about the conflict between the Second Amendment and the Illinois gun control laws, said his office would continue to enforce the laws in their present form. Thus, as Dozier said, his decision is largely “symbolic.”
“Our message is this,” Dozier said. “We will no longer use the power and authority of our office to criminalize and punish decent, otherwise law-abiding citizens who choose to exercise the rights granted to them by the Second Amendment of the United States’ Constitution to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and their families.” Dozier also noted that Illinois is the only state that still prohibits people from carrying concealed weapons.
Prospective firearm carriers take note, however: McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery, while agreeing with Dozier about the conflict between the Second Amendment and the Illinois gun control laws, said his office would continue to enforce the laws in their present form. Thus, as Dozier said, his decision is largely “symbolic.”
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