Caulkins argues Illinois Democrats should stop appealing assault weapon ban court rulings

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Rep. Dan Caulkins is calling on Gov. JB Pritzker to stop appealing rulings on the state's assault weapons ban.

The Decatur Republican said Friday's opinion from a Southern Illinois judge definitively found the law unconstitutional.

Caulkins said Illinois has wasted too much time and money fighting against Second Amendment supporters when he believes everyone should realize the law is misguided.

"We should be taking the illegal guns off the streets," Caulkins said Tuesday. "We should be prosecuting the criminals that are using those guns, not criminalizing law-abiding citizens who choose to own rifles, and shotguns, and pistols."

Pritzker said the Protect Illinois Communities Act was the result of hundreds of hours of deliberation between legal experts, lawmakers and advocates.

"Despite those who value weapons of war more than public safety, this law was enacted to and has protected Illinoisans from the constant fear of being gunned down in places where they ought to feel secure," Pritzker said.

The Illinois Attorney General's office filed an appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on Friday. Raoul has asked the appeals court to vacate the district court's permanent injunction, reverse the district court's order granting judgement to plaintiffs and provide any other relief the court deems appropriate.

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