Morrison working to allow all cities and villages option to enact similar ordinance

SPRINGFIELD - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today to uphold Highland Park’s ability to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. By refusing to hear an appeal of a lower court decision upholding local gun ordinances, the court has essentially backed up cities such as Highland Park that have instituted assault weapon bans in their communities. 

“Today’s court decision empowers local residents to have a say in how their community confronts public safety issues such as assault weapon bans,” State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) said. “Unfortunately, Illinois municipalities that do not yet have these kinds of ordinances are still prohibited from making their own decisions on this issue. While I am pleased with the court’s ruling, I will continue to advocate for the ability of all Illinois municipalities to ban assault weapons if they and their residents see fit.”

Morrison introduced Senate Bill 2130 in May, allowing local governments in Illinois to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Local governments are currently barred from enacting such ordinances under the controversial 2013 law allowing residents to carry concealed weapons.

“Local governments should have control over the public safety of their children, families and communities,” Kathleen Sances with Gun Violence Prevention PAC said. “Weapons that have one purpose, to kill as many people as quickly as possible, have no place in our neighborhoods.”

Senator Morrison is hoping for a committee vote on Senate Bill 2130 in the coming months.