Gun Shop Ordinance on Hold in New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL - New Lenox hasn’t given the green light for indoor gun ranges and gun shops to open in the village just yet, but final approval of the matter is likely only one month away and a few changes in an ordinance that would define just where those types of businesses would be allowed to open.

The village board tabled an ordinance that would allow the gun-related businesses to open in some commercially and industrially zoned areas of the village this week, according to a report from My Suburban Life Publications.

Debate progressed at a meeting regarding a possible provision to the ordinance that would restrict the businesses from opening within 500 feet of residential areas, schools, daycare facilities, churches and parks.

Related: Gun Range, Gun Shops Could Soon Be Allowed in New Lenox

The provision was included in January but removed a month later due to legal counsel warning the village about a court case the city of Chicago lost because of providing too tight of restrictions. Also, Mayor Tim Baldermann received 15 to 20 emails from concerned residents on the matter.

Now, it appears the provision will return for the board when they are expected to vote on this in April.

Baldermann told village trustees that the Chicago ordinance was much more overly restrictive than the one proposed with the provision in New Lenox, noting that anyone could be sued for anything but this ordinance does not make it impossible for these businesses to open in New Lenox.

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