While many neighboring suburbs have already decided whether they will pass assault weapons bans, in light of a gun rights bill that state government will likely take action on Tuesday, the Morton Grove village board first brought up the matter at its regular meeting Monday, July 8.
If Illinois on Tuesday finalizes House Bill 183, which allows individuals who obtain permits to carry concealed weapons, then under the bill's provisions, Morton Grove would have 10 days--or until July 19--to pass an assault weapons ban, if it wanted to do so.
The village board would have to convene a special meeting in order to consider what to do, said Village Administrator Ryan Horne.
The Illinois legislature passed a bill May 31 permitting concealed carry of guns, because it was required to by federal appeals court, which said that Illinois, the only state in the union to ban the concealed carrying of guns, was violating the Second Amendment.
Interactive Map: What Other Communities Are Doing On Assault Weapons Ban
Gov. Pat Quinn sent the bill back to the legislature last week with an amendatory veto, placing more restrictions on gun owners. The legislature will take up the matter Tuesday, and if the governor signs it, that will open a 10-day window in which municipalities can enact gun-related legislation, as long as it doesn't violate concealed carry, according to the State Journal Register.
In Morton Grove, former trustee Georgianne Brunner stepped up to the microphone during the public comment period and said during her tenure, she was the only trustee to vote against repealing the village's ban on handguns.
"I urge you to vote for a ban," she said.
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