Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson recently appeared on Fox & Friends to discuss how the organization plans to continue to legally fight an ordinance that limits the rights of gun owners in Deerfield.
Set to go into effect on June 13, Ordinance O-18-06 bans the “possession, sale and manufacture of many semi-automatic firearms as well as most detachable magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds." After June 13, those in violation of the ban could face fines of up to $1,000 a day.
“They made up their own definition for assault weapons, but certainly, it includes an AR-15 or a 30-round magazine,” Pearson added on Fox. “They can confiscate by force ... fine you $1,000 or probably both.”
Richard Pearson
Pearson said that would be in violation of the Conceal & Carry Act, which he claims directly preempts local ordinances from taking such actions.
“It’s a direct violation of state law, not to mention the Second Amendment,” he added.
On April 12, ISRA officials and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) formally filed suit in the Lake County Circuit Court.
“We’re looking for a temporary restraining order to prevent this from happening,” Pearson told Fox & Friends. “If we get the order, it will stay until we get a full hearing.”
Pearson said that none of the reasons he’s heard for imposing the rule justify the act of taking the guns of law-abiding citizens, including trying to prevent other mass shootings.
“It doesn’t help with mass shootings,” he said. “If people want to do a mass shooting, they’ll do a mass shooting.”
Pearson said it’s important for gun owners to now stand together and take a stance.
“We think it’s a slippery slope and everything is at stake for us,” he said. “We will fight this all the way to the Supreme Court.”
Meanwhile, leaders in Deerfield have compared the measure to one recently imposed in nearby Highland Park, noting that its validity has thus far withstood numerous legal challenges.
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