Dozier Won't Prosecute All Offenders of IL Gun Laws
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: August 21, 2012
BLOOMINGTON - McLean County's top prosecutor took a bold stance in favor of gun advocates on Tuesday.
Interim State's Attorney Ron Dozier announced a policy change that he said has been in the works since he was appointed in December.
In a four page prepared statement, Dozier said his office will no longer prosecute offenders of some of Illinois' gun laws.
Those laws include parts of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, Unlawful use of Weapons, Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons and provisions that have been part of a few U.S. Supreme Court cases on gun laws.
"We will no longer use the power and authority of our office to criminalize and punish decent, otherwise law-abiding citizens who choose to exercise the rights granted to them by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and their families," the statement said.
Currently, Illinois is the only state to not have some sort of concealed carry gun law on the books.
Dozier said he understands why people don't like guns or feel comfortable around them, but he said those arguments lack logic.
"They're based in emotion. It's an emotional response," he said.
The statement also explained, "So far, the City of Chicago and the State have done everything possible to defy, obfuscate and ignore the (Supreme) Court's substantive rulings."
Dozier said the high court has consistently upheld the second amendment, and he grew tired of Illinois not following suit.
He's instructed his lawyer to follow a series of questions when deciding if they'll file charges.
Those questions pertain to a person's intent, criminal history, whether they're under the influence of drugs or alcohol and/or if they belong to a gang.
Even people from out-of-state who are caught in Illinois with a gun are potentially protected if they're following their state's laws.
But Dozier emphasized his policy only applies to people with a valid FOID card.
He said his goal is less about making a splash in McLean County and more about sending a message to the state.
"My intent is less to change what we're doing here in McLean County, which we're not really changing as long as I'm here, but to try and make an impression on the legislature to try and move them forward. I'm hoping to get support to keep this on the front burner," Dozier said.
He added he has gotten mostly positive responses from other state's attorneys in Illinois.
However, he admitted many of them can't publicly support it because they're in contested elections.
Dozier said it's easier for him to make this policy change because he's a "lame duck." He's only filling the seat until Republican Jason Chambers is seated potentially in October.
Chambers said Tuesday he is a strong supporter of the second amendment and gun rights.
However, he called Dozier's new policy "reckless."
Chambers said, "Our government is founded on checks and balances, and I have a problem when a prosecutor wants to take the ball and run with it just because they don't like how it's being done."
Interim State's Attorney Ron Dozier announced a policy change that he said has been in the works since he was appointed in December.
In a four page prepared statement, Dozier said his office will no longer prosecute offenders of some of Illinois' gun laws.
Those laws include parts of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, Unlawful use of Weapons, Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons and provisions that have been part of a few U.S. Supreme Court cases on gun laws.
"We will no longer use the power and authority of our office to criminalize and punish decent, otherwise law-abiding citizens who choose to exercise the rights granted to them by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and their families," the statement said.
Currently, Illinois is the only state to not have some sort of concealed carry gun law on the books.
Dozier said he understands why people don't like guns or feel comfortable around them, but he said those arguments lack logic.
"They're based in emotion. It's an emotional response," he said.
The statement also explained, "So far, the City of Chicago and the State have done everything possible to defy, obfuscate and ignore the (Supreme) Court's substantive rulings."
Dozier said the high court has consistently upheld the second amendment, and he grew tired of Illinois not following suit.
He's instructed his lawyer to follow a series of questions when deciding if they'll file charges.
Those questions pertain to a person's intent, criminal history, whether they're under the influence of drugs or alcohol and/or if they belong to a gang.
Even people from out-of-state who are caught in Illinois with a gun are potentially protected if they're following their state's laws.
But Dozier emphasized his policy only applies to people with a valid FOID card.
He said his goal is less about making a splash in McLean County and more about sending a message to the state.
"My intent is less to change what we're doing here in McLean County, which we're not really changing as long as I'm here, but to try and make an impression on the legislature to try and move them forward. I'm hoping to get support to keep this on the front burner," Dozier said.
He added he has gotten mostly positive responses from other state's attorneys in Illinois.
However, he admitted many of them can't publicly support it because they're in contested elections.
Dozier said it's easier for him to make this policy change because he's a "lame duck." He's only filling the seat until Republican Jason Chambers is seated potentially in October.
Chambers said Tuesday he is a strong supporter of the second amendment and gun rights.
However, he called Dozier's new policy "reckless."
Chambers said, "Our government is founded on checks and balances, and I have a problem when a prosecutor wants to take the ball and run with it just because they don't like how it's being done."
