VIDEO: Highland Park Mayor Reacts to SCOTUS Decision on Assault Weapons

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering spoke to the press Monday following the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision not to hear an appear to the city’s ban on high-profile assault weapons enacted in 2013.

The Mayor, who is also a candidate in the 2016 Democratic Primary for U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 10th District, also shared some thoughts on her campaign Facebook page.

“As a Mayor and a mom, I worry about the safety of our children and our families, especially in the wake of the recent increase in mass gun violence. It is well past time to take action to reduce the gun violence that threatens our nation’s safety and peace.

In 2013, when the opportunity to pass an assault weapons ban arose, as Mayor, I had the courage to lead the charge and with my City Council, we banned assault weapons and high capacity magazines. In the face of threats from the NRA and its allies from around the country, we took action. While special interests challenged the ban, we refused to back down.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Highland Park assault weapons ban to stand.

By choosing not to hear a challenge to the 7th Circuit’s decision that our ban was constitutional, this decision allows other cities and villages to follow our lead and pursue assault weapons bans without the threat of legal action under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In contrast, last week our Congressman voted three separate times to block efforts to ban suspected terrorists from accessing guns and explosives. In 2012, he stated that the expired 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban “wasn’t working.” We need a Congressman who reflects the values of our District and has the courage to take action to protect our families.

We are all horrified by these shootings. Where does it stop? Banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines is one common sense action to reduce gun violence and protect our families and our communities from potential mass violence and grief.

As elected representatives, it is our collective responsibility to reduce access to these dangerous and unusual firearms and do everything we can stop the carnage. One piece of legislation is not going to prevent every gun violence tragedy, but with courageous leadership, we can take action and protect American lives from gun violence.”