Kendall County Sheriff, Illinois Sheriff's Association Call for Support of the Second Amendment

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include comments by Kendall County Sheriff Richard Randall.

Kendall County Sheriff Richard Randall and 72 other Illinois sheriffs adopted a resolution in support of a citizen's right to bear arms.

During the Illinois Sheriff's Association winter conference the association unanimously called for upholding the rights set forth in the U.S. Constitution, including those set forth in the Second Amendment. The resolution mirrors one endorsed by the National Sheriff's Association. In a press release the Sheriff's Association said "rational law abiding citizens are not the cause of random acts of horrific violence in our communities." Instead of limiting access to firearms, the law enforcement body said lawmakers should focus on the lack of mental health services in our country. The association said 66 individuals who have been remanded to the Department of Human Service Mental Health Division for treatment are currently being detained in county jails due to lack of space. The sheriff's said there is a "strong link between untreated mental illness and the increased risk of committing violent acts."

Additionally the association voted unanimously not to support the proposed legislation House Bill 132 that proposes bans certain weapons and ammunition.

On Friday Randall said there are a number of laws on the books that are designed to protect the people, but they have not stopped "bad people from doing bad things." As an example he cited the recent murder of 18-year-old Abigail Villalpando of Aurora. Villalpando was bludgeoned to death and her body burned beyond recognition by three area men.

"That's just one example of the horrific things some people are capable of," he said.

Randall said the nation needs to look at reducing the causes of acts of violence rather than focusing on limiting access to legal items, including firearms.

The resolution by the Sheriff's Association is in contrast to support for assault weapon bans and other strickt gun control measures called for by multiple police departments across the nation, particularly in the wake of the Newton, Conn. tragedy.

In the press release the Sheriff's Association outlined several needs to address street violence as well as random acts of violence, such as mass shootings. The needs include:

• Access to relevant records to determine whether a person is legally prohibited from possession of firearms by major improvements in the National Instant Check System.
• Access to mental health records for accurate background checks, for responding to 911 calls and for responding to those who suffer from mental issues.
• An expansion of treatment resources for those that experience mental illness.
• Vigorous prosecution of those who violate existing gun laws, including enhanced sentences.
• Enhanced firearms safety efforts including incentives to promote both safe and secure storage and use of firearms.

The resolution is as follows:

WHEREAS, the elected Sheriff is recognized throughout the United States as the Chief local law enforcement officer and is directly accountable to the people through the electoral process; and

WHEREAS, all Sheriffs take an oath of office to enforce and defend the United States Constitution and State Constitution and laws; and

WHEREAS, a primary mission of Sheriffs is to ensure public safety; and

WHEREAS, gun safety is vitally important to our nation’s public health and the 3,080 Sheriffs of this nation; and

WHEREAS, the cause of violence, including gun violence, must be addressed on many fronts, including improved mental health treatment, media violence, drugs, gangs, breakdown of the family, strengthening laws that prevent or reduce the access of legally prohibited persons to firearms and vigorous enforcement of existing laws; and

WHEREAS, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association represents the interest of all Sheriffs who are sworn to support and defend the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Sheriffs strongly support our citizens’ protected right to bear arms under the Second Amendment and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association does not support any laws that deprive any citizen of the rights provided under the Constitution and Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, the doctrine of judicial review grants to the United States Supreme Court and the lower courts the power to determine the constitutionality of any law and Sheriffs do not possess the legal authority to interpret the constitutionality of any law;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association supports the rights conferred by the Second Amendment and further recognizes the ultimate authority of the courts in interpreting the scope of those constitutional rights.