State Representative Patrick Sheehan, who also serves as a southwest suburban police officer, is speaking out against a proposal by an Illinois Democrat to ban tear gas and pepper spray as tools of non-lethal force by law enforcement.
House Bill 5553, introduced by Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (D-Chicago), would make illegal the deployment or possession of tear gas one year after the law takes effect. Exemptions in the bill include possession by retailers in sealed containers, possession for interstate shipping, and small self-defense devices under two ounces. The bill creates a private right of action, allowing individuals injured by tear gas to sue officers individually or agencies without having to prove negligence. Other provisions of the bill address public reporting of violations and large fines.
Watch Rep. Sheehan’s Video response to this latest attack on Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers in Illinois.