The Coles County Sheriff’s Department will not be enforcing the newly legislated Assault Ban signed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Tuesday, according to Sheriff Kent Martin.

The sheriff’s department will not be ensuring residents are following the new legislation requiring those in Illinois with certain types of firearms to register the firearms to the Illinois State Police and pay a fee. The legislation applies restrictions on the capacity of ammunition magazines.

Martin said when he was sworn into office he swore to uphold the United States and Illinois Constitutions. Martin said the new assault ban violates the peoples’ right to bear arms listed in the second amendment.

Martin said the ban would not make Coles County safer.

“Neither of these actions will make Coles County safer,” Martin said. “As a parent and law enforcement officer, I am greatly concerned about the culture of violence in our society, but placing additional requirements on law-abiding citizens will not deter criminals or reduce gun violence.”

Martin also said the sheriff’s department will continue to respond and investigate crimes involving firearms without enforcing the new requirements on “lawful gun owners.”

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