Metro East Sun

The Madison County Board voted on a resolution to not enforce HB5855, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, if passed. 

The vote comes as many counties have sought to maintain gun owners’ rights as state lawmakers prepare to pass HB5855 which would ban many types of commonly available guns and accessories. 

“There is no question that I think that law-abiding citizens should be able to protect themselves with whatever means necessary," Madison County Board Member Nick Petrillo said in a debate on the resolution. "And I think we need to address more the criminals." 

The resolution opposing the bill was debated at Madison County Board's Dec. 21 meeting.

"Resolution Opposing Illinois General Assembly HB5855 Protect Illinois Communities Act, any trailer bill, or any bill similar to, or any bill where the 102nd Illinois General Assembly desires to restrict the Individual rights of US Citizens as protected by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution," the resolution reads. WHEREAS, the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms is guaranteed as an Individual Right under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and under the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and; WHEREAS, the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms for defense of Life, Liberty, and Property is regarded as an Inalienable Right by the People of Madison County, Illinois, and; WHEREAS, the People have a God given obligation to provide for the common defense; WHEREAS, a well-armed citizenry is the best protection against tyrannical government; WHEREAS, the People of Madison County, Illinois, derive economic benefit from all safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting, and shooting conducted within Madison County using all types of firearms allowable under the United States Constitution, and; 

HB5855 would outlaw over 100 types of commonly available firearms and accessories as well as disallow those 18-20 from hunting alone.

"WHEREAS, The HB5855 Protect Illinois Communities Act is a violation of the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution allowing responsible law-abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms & ammunition;" the resolution reads further. "WHEREAS, A Rand review (2020) of gun control studies concluded there’s “inconclusive evidence for the effect of assault weapons bans,” and; WHEREAS, Madison County Board, being elected to represent the People of Madison County and being duly sworn by their Oath of Office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and; WHEREAS, the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate, being elected by the People of the State of Illinois and being duly sworn by their Oath of Office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and; WHEREAS, The Governor of Illinois, being elected to represent the People of the State of Illinois and being duly sworn by your Oath of Office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Illinois WHEREAS, the proposed legislation, any bills similar to, under consideration by the Illinois State Legislature which would infringe upon the Right to Keep and Bear Arms of commonly owned firearms by the individual citizens of Madison County, Illinois, is a direct violation of the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution;" 

The resolution follows that of Iroquois County, which passed its own resolution disallowing county moneys from being spent on enforcement efforts outlined under HB5855, according to Kankakee Times.

Todd Vandermyde, a former contract lobbyist with the National Rifle Association in Illinois broke down the county measure on his Freedom’s Steel YouTube channel. “So what does that mean?” Vandermyde said. “Well, the sheriff's department is not going to be going out there and aiding the state police or any other agency in enforcement measures against this or any similar type legislation. The way this resolution reads it doesn't look like the State's Attorney’s office is going to be able to expend any funds in the prosecution of anybody under House Bill 5855 should it become law.”