McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery is weighing in on President Obama's gun proposals. (Photo Courtesy Flickr)

By Paul Morello

BLOOMINGTON - McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery has already anticipated a complaint that might come up regarding President Barack Obama's new proposals to curb gun violence.

Emery said Wednesday the proposals may be considered by some to be an infringement of Second Amendment rights.

"The federal government is not going to come out and violate the Constitution and the Second Amendment," he said. "I think they're going to put the time, effort and funds into researching a lot before they make any move. At least I would hope they would."

Obama called for sweeping new gun laws Wednesday, including tightening of federal background checks, strengthening of the assault weapons ban and limiting ammunition magazines.

Emery said the proposals are a good start but there also needs to be a focus on mental health issues.

"We struggle with the mental health issues here locally, with the funding being dropped, with the facilities closing in the state and even on the federal level with the funding being closed," he said.

Emery said it makes sense to see a universal federal system for background checks and that easier access to an individual's prior federal records could help in determining eligibility for a Firearm Owner's Identification card.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.