In a significant victory for opponents of the assault weapons ban, Effingham County Judge Josh Morrison has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of the State's recently enacted ban on certain types of semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines.
In his ruling, Judge Morrison stated that the law, which was passed by the state legislature in response to a surge in gun violence, violates the Second Amendment rights of citizens. He further stated that the law is also in violation of state laws that pre-empt local governments from regulating firearms.
The temporary restraining order means that the ban cannot be enforced until the court can hear arguments in a full hearing on the matter. It is a temporary relief for gun rights advocates who have been fighting the law since it was passed.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell is in opposition to the state's gun ban, calling it unconstitutional. In a statement released to the media, Sheriff Campbell said that while he recognizes the state's right to pass laws aimed at reducing gun violence, he believes that the new bans go too far and infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
"I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and I cannot in good conscience enforce laws that I believe are unconstitutional," Sheriff Campbell said.
Sheriff Campbell's position is in line with several other law enforcement officials across the state who have also opposed the new laws, as well as a number of gun rights groups and Second Amendment activists.