Legislation Introduced That Would Allow Municipalities to Ban Assault Weapons Again

State Senator Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield introduced a measure Tuesday to restore the right of every city and village in Illinois to ban assault weapons.

The proposed measure comes about a week after a federal appeals court had ruled a ban put in place by the city of Highland Park in 2013 had been constitutional.

READ MORE: Highland Park’s Assault Weapons Ban Upheld

“This is about local control,” said Morrison. “Highland Park decided to protect its citizens by banning assault weapons. Every other city and village in Illinois should have that same right.”

In 2013, an Illinois law that allowed residents to carry concealed weapons also prohibited local governments from banning assault weapons. With limited time to put in a ban before it would become prohibited, Highland Park did so.

“In 2013, when the opportunity to pass an assault weapon ban arose, the City of Highland Park took action because it was in the best interest of those we serve,” Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said. “While we were confident of the legality of our legislation, we are gratified that the Northern Illinois District Court and now the 7th Circuit Court affirmed that our ordinance is lawful.”

Morrison’s legislation, which could be considered by the Illinois General Assembly next year, would undo the 2013 prohibition.

READ MORE: Morrison Vows to Make DCFS Improvement A Priority

Rotering was among the ones to publicly applaud the Senator for introducing the measure.

“I appreciate Senator Morrison’s immediate action in introducing Senate Bill 2130,” she said. “Banning assault weapons is a common sense step to reducing gun violence and protecting our children, our law enforcement and our communities from potential mass violence and grief.”

Colleen Daley, of the Illinois Council against Handgun Violence, agrees.

“Senator Morrison’s legislation would help restore local control on this important public safety issue,” Daley said.