Stan Polanski – Daily Union
Jun 13, 2018
In a 16-2 vote Wednesday, the Shelby County Board reaffirmed a 2003 resolution of support for the Second Amendment.
The vote came after Effingham County and others across central Illinois recently declared themselves “sanctuary” counties for gun owners in response to the state’s proposed gun control legislation. The county resolutions have been described as largely symbolic.
“Our law enforcement will enforce whatever’s on the books,” said Shelby County Board Chairman David Cruitt in an interview.
Cruitt added that Wednesday’s move communicates to state politicians that the county is firmly opposed to proposed gun legislation. A copy of the resolution will be sent to State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). And State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) was in attendance at the board meeting.
Board member Rob Ambling said the ’03 board resolution was reaffirmed in 2007 to oppose an assault weapons ban. The county’s law enforcement and legislative committees met, he said, and agreed that the board should take a similar stand this year.
The resolution (2003-21) reads:
“Now therefore, be it resolved by the County Board of the County of Shelby, Illinois as follows: 1. That the constitutional rights of the citizens of this County shall not be restricted and the rights of the individual to own, posses [sic] and lawfully use firearms shall not be abridged. 2. That these rights as aforesaid shall not be restricted by any laws, ordinances or enactments by this County Board.”
Board members Frank Mulholland and Gary Gergeni voted against the reaffirmation. Gergeni said the measure wouldn’t have any worthwhile effect.
