South Central Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) believes the state's new firearms ban "should be repealed" and has joined nine other GOP representatives in sponsoring legislation that would do just that.

Jacobs has been critical of the legislation that was recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

"I’ve been very consistent throughout my time in the legislature," Jacobs said in a Feb. 1 press release from his office. "I have a 100% pro-2nd Amendment voting record. The law that was signed in January 2023 by Governor Pritzker is a violation of the 2nd Amendment and restricts the rights of law-abiding citizens that wish to use commonly used firearms to protect themselves, their family, and their property."

The representative added that his constituents are demanding opposition be brought against the new law.

“What I heard from my constituents and the people of Southern Illinois was that they are demanding action to oppose this unconstitutional overreach by supermajority Democrats and Governor Pritzker,” he said in the release. “My sponsorship of legislation that would repeal this firearms ban reflects the values of the constituents that I serve. I look forward to a fair and open hearing on this bill. Law-abiding citizens are not the reason our crime problem is out of control and they certainly should be outraged at the legislation signed by Governor Pritzker. The firearms ban should be repealed.”

State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) introduced House Bill 1564 on Jan. 30, and Jacobs signed on as a co-sponsor one day later. The bill would repeal provisions of Public Act 102-1116, which requires that a petitioner for a firearms restraining order may request a plenary firearms restraining order that lasts no less than six months. Additionally, it removes the provision that a firearms restraining order may be renewed for another year, and it also repeals the ban on automatic weapons.

An appellate court upheld a temporary restraining order granted by an Effingham County judge in January, a FOX 32 news report said. The new ruling expanded the order to the entire state, going beyond the 866 plaintiffs named in the original case filed by attorney Thomas DeVore.

Jacobs was first elected to the Illinois House during the November 2020 general election, the General Assembly website said. His legislative experience includes serving on the Higher Education and Veterans Affairs’ committees. He lives in Pomona.