Illinois county declares itself a symbolic gun sanctuary

EFFINGHAM, Ill. – Authorities say a resolution declaring a community in rural central Illinois a sanctuary for gun owners is symbolic and non-binding.

The Effingham County board passed the resolution on an 8-1 vote Monday, directing employees not to enforce any new Illinois laws that it says could “unconstitutionally restrict the Second Amendment.”

State’s Attorney Bryan Kibler says the resolution won’t control decision-making at the sheriff’s office, but that it signals to state government that Effingham County won’t stand for restrictions on the sale of firearms and other gun control measures being considered.

Sheriff Dave Mahon said his office is not required to follow the resolution, and that the introduction of a similar law at state level would be unconstitutional.

The county with about 34,000 residents hosted a two-day gun show in February.