Illinois Sheriff's Association Against Proposed State Ban On Certain Weapons
By: Alexandra Sutter WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: February 12, 2013
Seventy-three Sheriffs voted
unanimously against supporting a proposed state law banning certain weapons.
The Tazewell County Sheriff Robert Huston said he believes it's a Sheriff's
responsibility to uphold the constitution. He said the focus needs to be turned
from guns to mental health awareness.
He said, "I've heard it been said that
every one of these instances has had a mentally deranged individual present.
The Sheriff's Association wanted to bring attention to the problem of mental
health in Illinois."
Huston said he sees a demand for
mental health care first -hand in the county jails. He said as of Feb. 1,
Illinois had 66 inmates waiting for placement in a mental health facility.
Those in favor of the state's proposal
to ban certain weapons said there is no reason for citizens to have access to
military style weapons.
