From Sheriff Steven M. Stovall

Stephenson County, Illinois

To the Editor:

On December 1st, 2022, I took an oath and solemnly swore that I would support the Constitution of the United States. This is not something that I took lightly. 

Recently, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 5471 and it was signed into law by Governor Pritzker. Let me be clear, this piece of legislation will do nothing to make our communities safer! Criminals don’t follow the laws, that is what makes them criminals. This unconstitutional legislation infringes on our 2nd Amendment Rights, which makes any enforcement of HB5471 contrary to my oath of office. 

It is a shame that instead of addressing laws to prevent violent criminals from terrorizing so many communities throughout this State, the General Assembly is attempting to make criminals out of otherwise law abiding citizens. 

As the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement official for Stephenson 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 for non-compliance of this Act. 

I am confident that this misguided legislation will be struck down by the judicial branch, and after that, I sincerely hope the Illinois General Assembly will work on legislation that makes our communities safer instead of attempting to disarm law abiding citizens.