Illinois Sheriffs Association opposes assault weapons ban

Illinois Sheriffs Association opposes assault weapons ban

4 months ago by Denise Donley

Adams County Sheriff Fischer supports group's action, reaffirms support of concealed carry

A resolution was recently endorsed by the Illinois Sheriff's Association regarding gun violence and mental health.

The statement from Greg Sullivan, ISA executive director reads, “Rational law abiding citizens are not the cause of random acts of
horrific violence in our communities. The focus should be primarily on the lack of mental health services in our country.”

Adams County Sheriff Brent Fischer said fewer mental health services could be one cause.

“From a law enforcement standpoint, we see more and more of the mental health issues coming to the forefront and that could be a cause of
some of the violence and disruption that occurs,” said Fischer. “It’d be nice to see more mental health services but we also understand
funding is short anywhere you look.”

When addressing the legislative’s proposed ban on assault weapons, the ISA opposes the ban on certain weapons like military-style. Fischer said he doesn’t agree with laws restricting gun control.

“I’m not really a proponent on gun bans. I think there are other roots of the cause of violence that we need to look at," Fischer said. "The initial cause
seems to be looking at the history of these individuals and asking questions such as ‘Was there mental health in their past?  would hate to see any gun bans restricting that to people that are law abiding citizens and should have the right to bear those fire arms if they see fit and are abiding by the law.”

Fischer and the ISA have been a proponent of concealed carry for several years, but would like to see specifics.

“Part of the conditions we’d like to see are things like background checks, fingerprinting, the training and the renewal that law enforcement officers be notified if they do pull someone over that they must notify law enforcement that they are a permit carrying person,” said Fischer. “I think as a state we need to do something to address allowing some type of concealed carry.”