January 9, 2014

Mayor Emanuel, Law Department to Ask Court for Six-Month Delay for Guns Sales in Chicago

Time Needed to Develop and Adopt Ordinance to Regulate Gun Sales

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today has instructed Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton and the Chicago Department of Law to ask United States District Court Judge Edmond E. Chang to delay the effective date of his recent ruling by six months in order to provide the City with enough time to develop and enact a new ordinance to regulate the sale of firearms.

“Though I fully disagree, the City has little option but to follow the ruling of the Court. I’ve instructed the Law department to work with public safety experts and community leaders to create a comprehensive set of restrictions on the sale of firearms to ensure that illegal guns don’t find their way into the hands of criminals or straw purchasers,” said Mayor Emanuel. “We owe it to the children, families and residents of Chicago to do everything possible to protect public health and safety and keep illegal guns off our streets.”

This approach is similar to one the City undertook after a court ruling struck down the City’s ban on gun ranges. Following that ruling, Mayor Emanuel introduced, and Chicago City Council approved, a series of amendments to the municipal code that required shooting ranges operate within acceptable noise limits, are located a safe distance away from residential zones, schools, churches and day care centers, and safely and securely store firearms and ammunition left on site.

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