Illinois begins arming non-citizens while disarming citizens

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker Friday signed into law a bill that allows non-citizens to become police officers after instituting heavy gun restrictions for civilian citizens.

According to HB3751, a non-citizen who has a valid work permit is eligible to become a police officer, including those who entered the country illegally as children and have still not obtained citizenship. Other criteria required for eligibility are the same as those for citizens, including the applicant being able to obtain, carry, purchase, or otherwise possess a firearm under federal law.

Law enforcement officers are exempt from many gun restrictions which apply to civilian citizens, including a law signed by Governor Pritzker in January which bans the possession of assault rifles. Civilians are also now prohibited from selling or possessing more than 15 rounds of ammunition in most places. Police officers, including non-citizens, are permitted to carry assault rifles on duty and are issued more ammunition.

Concealed carry laws are also restrictive in Illinois. Civilian citizens who wish to carry a concealed firearm must go through a rigorous application process to obtain a permit, which is reviewed by the Illinois State Police. The police can object to granting any civilian a concealed carry permit "based upon a reasonable suspicion that the applicant is a danger to himself or herself or others, or a threat to public safety". The objection is then considered by a Concealed Carry Licensing Review Board, which decides whether or not to grant the permit.

Non-citizen law enforcement officers, however, even if retired, are exempt from local and state concealed carry laws. In addition to carrying state-issued firearms concealed while off-duty, they are also permitted to carry personally owned firearms as secondary weapons:

The Department may authorize officers to carry a personally-owned firearm as a secondary weapon for on-duty, off-duty, supplemental, covert, or other approved specialty purposes.

Law enforcement officers, including non-citizens, can also seize a civilian’s firearm during a traffic stop or in any situation where “the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel determines that it is necessary for the safety of any person present, including the law enforcement officer or emergency services personnel.” If and when the police officer determines that the civilian is no longer a threat and is “mentally capable of possessing the firearm,” the firearm is returned. If the civilian is transported to another location for “treatment,” the firearm must be turned over to any police officer.

"Subject only to the police power, the right of the individual citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” states the Illinois Constitution.