Ban Guns, Knives, Clubs & Other Weapons At Rallies, Aldermen Say

By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 6, 2017 10:20PM

Ald. Edward Burke (Ward 14) / Wikipedia

Two Chicago aldermen put forth a proposal on Wednesday that would ban guns, knives, clubs, sticks and other weapons from rallies and protests in the city.

An ordinance proposed by Ald. Edward Burke (14th) and Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th) would specifically prohibit "firearms, knives, weapons, sharp objects, shields, fireworks, chains, bats, clubs, sticks, batons and any other rod-like instrument." If passed, penalties for violation would be as high as a $1000 and 10 days in prison, or both.

The measure directly referenced the deadly violence in Virginia last month in a preamble: “In light of the recent acts of terrorism on behalf of neo-Nazis and White Supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, which left one woman dead and dozens injured, the City of Chicago must prepare and upgrade any necessary public safety measures in anticipation of similar protests and rallies," it reads. "We have already seen violence and even death at these rallies, but the potential is for far worse if participants continue to carry guns into such confrontational situations.”

The ordinance invokes how the city of Boston imposed strict strict restrictions—including against "anything that could be used as a weapon" according to the measure—ahead of that city's so-called Free Speech Rally in August. The permit for that rally was granted under "a zero-tolerance policy" that prohibited sticks, bats and backpacks, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said last month, according to the Boston Globe.

“A municipality has the authority to forbid public demonstrations that disrupt a school or hospital, ban the use of loudspeakers in a residential neighborhood at night and refuse to permit a demonstration that will unduly block traffic during rush hour,” Burke said in a press release.

"It seems only fitting that Chicago should also be able to restrict the carrying of weapons during public demonstrations in order the curtail the possibility of violence."

The measure will later be considered in a joint Finance and Public Safety Committee hearing.