Sanctuary County for Gun Owners: Effingham County, Illinois

In the midst of the current pseudo-pop-culture anti-gun movement, at least one locality is reportedly taking a stand for gun rights. Effingham County, Illinois recently adopted a resolution which directs all county employees to refrain from enforcing any new anti-gun state laws.

The County Board on Monday passed the resolution on an 8-1 vote and directed employees not to enforce new Illinois laws that would “unconstitutionally restrict the Second Amendment.”

The county resolution opposes certain anti-gun state legislation that passed the legislature but was vetoed by the governor, as well as other bills currently active at the General Assembly.

Unfortunately, this “gun sanctuary county” resolution may not have much actual strength, according to law enforcement.

Effingham County State’s Attorney Bryan Kibler tells the Effingham Daily News that the action is largely symbolic. He says the resolution won’t control decision-making at the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Dave Mahon said if the state were to pass such a law he would consult with the state’s attorney and the Illinois Sheriff’s Association before deciding what to do.

It sounds good on paper, anyhow.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.