Chicago Handgun Ban Upheld

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 18, 2008 9:25PM

U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur today rejected two lawsuits challenging Chicago's handgun ban. The ban has been in place since 1982 but came under fire recently when the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn Washington D.C.'s ban in June. Multiple lawsuits were filed by the National Rifle Association and the Illinois State Rifle Association in towns and cities across Northern Illinois, and Wilmette and Morton Grove repealed their bans.

But even today's decision doesn't mean the battle is over. Said Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle, "We believe this decision will ultimately end up in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a victory for us, but, it’s just one step in what is probably going to be a long battle.”

Speaking at a conference on school violence today, prior to the tossing of the lawsuits, Daley outlined a plan he hopes to implement soon.

The mayor said he plans to hold a gun conference early next year to consider current trends in gun violence and how they might be addressed within the legal parameters established by the nation’s highest court.

“I believe the court’s ruling presents us with an opportunity to continue our efforts to enact reasonable, common sense gun laws that put conditions on gun ownership and sales and that also puts limitations on where guns are permitted, all of which the court’s ruling allows,” the mayor said.

Asked point-blank whether he intends to use the city’s sweeping home-rule powers to mimic the D.C. changes, Daley said, “That’s what we’re looking at. You’re not gonna rush into something so quickly. That’s why you have a conference and listen to people.”

For it's part, the D.C. City Council just this week passed "new regulations that require gun owners to receive five hours of safety training and register their firearms every three years."

Photo by DamianD23