Chicago wastes no time trampling on the 2nd Amendment again. – Ed.
Just four days after the Supreme Court essentially struck down the City of Chicago’s draconian handgun ban as unconstitutional, the City Council unanimously approved a tough new gun-control regime that critics are vowing to fight but supporters are hoping will hold up in court.
The “Responsible Gun Ownership Ordinance,” introduced by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, will require city-issued “permits,” registration, and special training for residents who wish to own guns. It will also limit the number of handguns eligible gun owners may purchase to one per month. Handguns will not be allowed outside of the home (including in garages or on porches) and must be transported broken down and in a case. They cannot be sold within city limits, and only a list of “safe” guns drawn up by the police superintendent will be permitted.
“Although the [Supreme Court’s ruling wasn’t what we had hoped for, it was what we expected. That’s why for the last several months we’ve been preparing the reasonable and responsible ordinance to regulate handguns in the home that the council approved today,” said Mayor Daley on July 2.
“Either we enact new and reasonable handgun laws in Chicago to protect our residents — as the council has done — or we do nothing and risk greater gun violence in our streets and in our homes,” he added.
Aldermen (city councilors) generally agreed, as evidenced by the 45-0 vote in favor of the new set of rules that officials admit are probably still the strictest in the nation.