If you have a gun the state says you’re supposed to register but you don’t, LaSalle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro won’t prosecute you. He told the County Board Thursday, he believes the state’s new gun control law is unconstitutional.
The Board passed a resolution telling the state it’s against the new law. County Clerk Jennifer Ebner told the Board about being against guns and coming around to the view that the problem is people who shouldn’t have guns. She said she was a victim of gun violence long ago and feared guns for a long time.
LaSalle County Board member David Torres
Members of the public who oppose the new law also spoke to the Board and applauded the resolution. Some board members said they heard only opposition to the new law from their constituents. Member David Torres told reporters after the meeting, he has constituents on each side. He voted “present” during the resolution, casting the only vote other than “yes” among those there. Torres says he wants a court ruling on the law’s constitutionality before he supports a resolution calling it unconstitutional.
Navarro’s declaration and the County Board action came the day after many sheriffs across Illinois, including Adam Diss of LaSalle County, said they wouldn’t enforce the gun registration requirement. A sheriff’s department isn’t the only law enforcement agency that could enforce the law. Likewise, a state’s attorney isn’t the only prosecutor who could bring charges. It remains to be seen what happens when Illinois State Police and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office come across people in violation.
Here’s State’s Attorney Joe Navarro’s complete announcement to the County Board:
And here’s all of County Clerk Jennifer Ebner’s comment to the Board:
LaSalle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro (at lectern in center) speaks to the County Board January 12, 2023. County Clerk Jennifer Ebner and Board Chairman Don Jensen are above and behind him to the left.