With enactment into state law of concealed carry legislation, House Bill 183, a new fight for gun rights in Illinois was started. A clause included in this new law allowed home rule local governments to enact their own so-called “assault weapon” bans within ten days of House Bill 183’s enactment. In the days preceding and immediately following enactment, a flurry of city council meetings were scheduled to discuss or pass a ban on popularly owned semi-automatic firearms.
Approximately sixty different local meetings were scheduled in total, and many Illinois NRA members and gun owners attended those meetings and contacted their local officials in opposition to these hastily crafted restrictions. Due to the efforts of those law-abiding citizens defending their Second Amendment rights, only seven new “assault weapon” bans were enacted throughout the state (listed below) before the deadline – Friday, July 19.
If you or anyone you know have been arrested or harassed under a local ban or ordinance, please contact the NRA Legislative Counsel’s office at (703) 267-1161.
Localities with new bans:
- Calumet Park – (No language available)
- Dolton – Assault Weapon Ban (No language available)
- Evanston – Assault Weapon Ban (Page 11)
- Highland Park – Assault Weapon Ban
- Melrose Park – Assault Weapon Ban (No language available)
- North Chicago – Assault Weapon Ban
- Skokie – Assault Weapon Ban (Page 50)
Other local governments passed ordinances pertaining to firearms storage and transportation. Those localities include:
- Country Club Hills
- Deerfield
- University Park
- Winnetka
Thank you to all members who attended local meetings and voiced their opposition to bans or unreasonable regulations on firearms commonly owned for self-defense. While Illinois now has concealed carry, continued vigilance is necessary to ensure protection of our rights. Your NRA-ILA will continue to fight unreasonable restrictions and will keep you updated.
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