The Illinois State Police have responded to our story and others pointing out that the Governor’s Executive Order requiring the use of a mask in public directly conflicts with Illinois gun laws.
In fact, it’s a class 4 felony as we wrote Sunday evening.
From NewsChannel20:
“The Governor’s Executive Order regarding the wearing of masks or protective facial coverings in public settings during this serious global pandemic was not intended to negatively impact permit holders under the Illinois Concealed Carry Act while legally carrying firearms. The Executive Order does not require or suggest that law enforcement should arrest or criminally charge conceal carry license permit holders for wearing protective masks while in public as long as they are complying with the other provisions of the Illinois Concealed Carry Act and are not committing any other violations of Illinois law. ISP has confidence that law enforcement officers across the state will use appropriate judgment and that elected State’s Attorneys will likewise exercise sound prosecutorial discretion.”
So gun owners trying to live life as good citizens following the governor’s edict to wear a mask in public have to count on officer and prosecutor discretion to avoid a felony conviction and lose their gun rights for life.
A goodly number of our readers have the inclination to tell our Governor Pritzker to go pound sand on his public masking requirement as gun owners. They follow the law religiously. Who can blame them for skipping the mask if forced to chose between a committing a felony for wearing a mask and skipping the mask and being asked to leave a store.
While the risk of arrest and prosecution remain low, the potential for life-long complications relating to a felony arrest remain very high.
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