News Flash: Chicago Suburb drops handgun ban without a fight

[afmo]

Wilmette Suspends Local Handgun Ban - News Story - WMAQ | Chicago

Wilmette Suspends Local Handgun Ban

2:47 pm CDT June 27, 2008

WILMETTE, Ill. -- Wilmette has suspended enforcement of its 19-year-old ordinance banning handgun possession in the wake of a US Supreme Court decision that appears to invalidate such bans.

In a 5-4 decision, the court struck down Washington, D.C.'s ban on handguns, a prohibition similar to those used in several major cities, including Chicago, and a handful of suburbs including Wilmette, Evanston, Winnetka and Oak Park.

"The Law Department and the Police Department have suspended enforcement of the ordinance pending further review by the Village Board," Wilmette village attorney Time Frenzer said Thursday. "Based on the decision today, at a minimum it calls into serious question the continued viability of the ordinance."

Frenzer said questions remain about how directly the court's decision will impact local gun laws in Wilmette and other parts of the country. Washington is not a state, and each state has its own legal language governing the right to bear arms.

"That aside, the opinion will require further review and discussion by the Village Board, but it's prudent at this point to suspend enforcement of it," Frenzer said.

Wilmette's law, enacted in 1989, levied fines of up to $750 for handgun possession and allowed the village to seek a judge's order to have seized weapons destroyed.

Frenzer said he did not know exactly how many times the law has been invoked, but said its use is rare.

The last case he recalls involved a 2003 incident in which a resident, Hale DeMar, was cited after using a handgun to shoot and wound a burglar in his home. The case mobilized state gun right groups and led to the passage of a law that gave gun owners a defense to local prohibitions if the weapon was used in self-defense.

Wilmette's charges against DeMar were eventually dropped. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Wilmette Police Chief George Carpenter declined to comment on the high court's ruling, saying he had not yet had a chance to read the decision or review it with village staff.

* * *

WOO HOO small victories!

[trik396]

If only Daley would give up as easy.

[afmo]

Originally Posted by trik396

If only Daley would give up as easy.

the beauty of this is if he has enough external pressures, it may be politically unpopular for him to NOT give up.

[trik396]

He is such a looney-tune, I don't think anything or anyone will change his demented mind.

[Edubya]

“I am profoundly disappointed in Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, both of whom assured us of their respect for precedent. With this decision, 70 years of precedent has gone out the window. And I believe the people of this great country will be less safe because of it.” —Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who said of her own “right-to-carry” permit a few years back, “I know the urge to arm yourself because that’s what I did. I was trained in firearms. I carried a concealed weapon. I made the determination that if somebody was going to try to take me out, I was going to take them with me.”

“More handguns will lead to more handgun violence.” —Washington, DC, Mayor Adrian Fenty

“Today, President Bush’s radical Supreme Court justices put rigid ideology ahead of the safety of communities in New Jersey and across the country. This decision illustrates why I have strongly opposed extremist judicial nominees and will continue to do so in the future.” —Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)

“It is frightening that America loves guns, and to me, I think this decision really places those who are rich and those are in power—they’ll always feel safe. Those who do not have the power do not feel safe, and that’s what they’re saying. If you’re elected officials, you feel safe. You cannot carry a gun into a federal building. You cannot carry a gun into a federal court. So they’re setting themselves aside, and really, they’re saying to the rest of America that the answer to all the constitutional issues is that we can carry guns. And I just don’t understand how they came to this thinking.” —Chicago Mobster, er, uh, Mayor, Richard Daley


As James Madison, our Constitution’s principal author, wrote in the (No. 46 Federalists Papers), “The ultimate authority... resides in the people alone...

[Son of Norway]

Wilmette just saved themselves a ton of money towards a losing cause.

[afmo]

Originally Posted by Son of Norway

Wilmette just saved themselves a ton of money towards a losing cause.

I can't help but wonder if this will become standard, rather than lose all that money on a lost cause, just drop it. We can hope...

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Son of Norway

Wilmette just saved themselves a ton of money towards a losing cause.

You nailed it. The Cook County fringe is propped up by high taxes and over spending. It will cost millions for these cities to fight for a cause that they will not only lose, but will not make their citizens safer.

Daley will figure this out as soon as he is the last one standing.

OS

[Frenchy]

The blood is in the water and the pro-gun sharks smell it!

[XDConvert9mm]

Originally Posted by Old School

You nailed it. The Cook County fringe is propped up by high taxes and over spending. It will cost millions for these cities to fight for a cause that they will not only lose, but will not make their citizens safer.

Daley will figure this out as soon as he is the last one standing.

OS

Based on Daley's past history and very current statements I would expect him to fight any loosening of the current regime's laws with every last dollar he can muster....of the taxpayers of course.