What we grade · Illinois
Tenth Amendment — Federalism & State Sovereignty
Federalism and state sovereignty — Tenth Amendment limits on federal agencies like the ATF writing gun rules Congress never passed, Second Amendment sanctuary protections, and strong statewide preemption so anti-gun localities can't impose a patchwork on lawful owners.
Tenth Amendment & Federal Gun Overreach
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers to the states and the people. Federal agencies such as the ATF increasingly issue firearm rules — on pistol braces, frames, and more — that Congress never voted on.
What earns a high score
I support Tenth Amendment limits on federal power, and I oppose federal agencies like the ATF creating gun rules that Congress never passed.
Second Amendment Sanctuary Protections
A Second Amendment sanctuary is a state, county, or town that declines to use its resources to enforce gun laws it considers unconstitutional — an application of the anti-commandeering doctrine.
What earns a high score
I support Second Amendment sanctuary protections — state and local governments should refuse to enforce gun laws that violate the Constitution.
State Firearm Preemption
State firearm preemption keeps gun laws consistent across the state, stopping individual cities and counties from passing their own conflicting restrictions on lawful gun owners.
What earns a high score
I support strong state firearm preemption so anti-gun localities can't impose a patchwork of restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.
We The Vetted grades the Republican in each Illinois race on these issues, 1–10. Read our full methodology or see the other amendments we grade.