South West Illinois News

State Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) is one of 10 Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives who have sponsored a bill to repeal the state's firearms ban recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.

Jacobs expressed in a Feb. 1 news release his belief that the law should be repealed.

“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," he said in the release from his office.

Jacobs 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. “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 The firearms ban should be repealed.”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. Jacobs signed on as a co-sponsor on Jan. 31. 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 statewide.

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 resides in Pomona.