SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Feb. 12, 2016) – An Illinois bill would bill would bar state cooperation with any future federal gun control measures, effectively nullifying them in practice within the state.

Rep. David Reis (R-Olney) – introduced House Bill 5664 (HB5664) on Feb. 10. Titled the Second Amendment Preservation Act, the legislation would prohibit state agencies, political subdivisions, and their employees from knowingly and willingly participating in any way in the enforcement of any future federal act, law, order, rule, or regulation regarding a personal firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition. The bill would also prohibit the utilization of state assets, state funds, or funds allocated by the state to its political subdivisions for enforcement of the same.

The bill’s findings lay out the purpose of the legislation.

“It is the intent of the General Assembly in enacting this Act to protect employees of this State, including law enforcement officers, from being directed, through federal executive orders, agency orders, statutes, laws, rules, or regulations enacted or promulgated on or after the effective date of this Act, to violate their oath of office and individual rights affirmed under the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Section 22 of Article 1 of the Constitution of the State of Illinois.”

“Gun rights activists already know what hostile territory Illinois is,” said Michael Boldin, Executive Director of the Tenth Amendment Center. “That’s why this bill is so important. It’s a flag the for people to rally to. People should remember that medical marijuana took TEN years to pass in Illinois, and it started with the introduction of a bill that everyone said would ‘never pass.'”

Boldin suggested that, like the state’s limited medical marijuana law, which some people are now looking to expand, this bill could become a powerful starting point for those who want to protect the right to keep and bear arms.

EFFECTIVE

While HB5664 was drafted to protect the right to keep and bear arms from federal infringement and to support the Second Amendment, it does not require any determination of constitutionality. It simply directs all state agencies to simply stand down, a powerful strategy advised by the “Father of the Constitution.”

Based on James Madison’s advice for states and individuals in Federalist #46, a “refusal to cooperate with officers of the Union” represents an extremely effective method to bring down federal gun control measures because most enforcement actions rely on help, support and leadership from the states.

Fox News senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano agreed. In a televised discussion on the issue, he noted that a single state taking this step would make federal gun laws “nearly impossible” to enforce.

The federal government relies heavily on state cooperation to implement and enforce almost all of its laws, regulations and acts – including gun laws. By simply withdrawing this necessary cooperation, states can nullify in effect many federal actions. As noted by the National Governor’s Association during the partial government shutdown of 2013, “states are partners with the federal government on most federal programs.”

“Partnerships don’t work too well when half the team quits,” said Michael Boldin of the Tenth Amendment Center. “By withdrawing all resources and participation in federal gun control schemes, the states can effectively bring them down.”

LEGAL BASIS

HB5664 rests on a well-established legal principle known as the anti-commandeering doctrine. Simply put, the federal government cannot force states to help implement or enforce any federal act or program. The anti-commandeering doctrine is based primarily on four Supreme Court cases dating back to 1842. Printz v. US serves as the cornerstone.

“We held in New York that Congress cannot compel the States to enact or enforce a federal regulatory program. Today we hold that Congress cannot circumvent that prohibition by conscripting the States’ officers directly. The Federal Government may neither issue directives requiring the States to address particular problems, nor command the States’ officers, or those of their political subdivisions, to administer or enforce a federal regulatory program. It matters not whether policy making is involved, and no case by case weighing of the burdens or benefits is necessary; such commands are fundamentally incompatible with our constitutional system of dual sovereignty.”

WHAT’S NEXT

HB5664 was referred to the House Rules Committee where it will need to pass by a majority vote before moving on to the full House for consideration.

TAKE ACTION IN SUPPORT

In Illinois, follow all the steps to support this bill at THIS LINK

All other states, contact your state legislator and encourage them to introduce similar legislation to stop federal gun control at this link.

Mike Maharrey

The 10th Amendment

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

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