Deerfield Illinois 'Outrageous'

What SAF Founder Alan Gottlieb Calls 'Outrageous'  BY TIM SCHMIDT - USCCA FOUNDER

You may recall how just a few short weeks ago, the Chicago suburb of Deerfield actively tread on the rights of its citizens when, according to GunsAmerica, it imposed a ban on the "sale, possession and manufacture of 'assault weapons' and 'large-capacity magazines' to 'increase the public's sense of safety.'" CNN reported back in April that "if the 18,000 residents … [didn't] forfeit or secure weapons that [fell] under the ban by June 13, they [would] be charged from $200 to $1,000 a day as a penalty," something Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) founder Alan Gottlieb called "outrageous." As that deadline loomed closer, SAF, in conjunction with the Illinois State Rifle Association and Daniel Easterday, a Deerfield resident, "moved swiftly to challenge [the ban] because it flew in the face of state law," according to Gottlieb. The state preemption law to which Gottlieb referred was enacted in 2013 and declares that "only the state Legislature can pass laws that regulate firearms." [GunsAmerica] He noted that "the village tried to disguise its extremism as an amendment to an existing ordinance," as allowed during a short grace period, and added that the ban "certainly puts the lie to claims by anti-gunners that 'nobody is coming to take your guns.'" According to GunsAmerica, a judge ruled Tuesday in favor of Gottlieb & Co., "granting the injunction" and "thus preventing the village from rolling out" the ban. The Chicago Tribune reported that Lake County Circuit Court Judge Luis Verrones "found the Deerfield assault weapons ban to be a new ordinance and not an amendment to a prior ordinance" as the city claimed. He suggested that "the hardships imposed on gun owners outweigh any harm to Deerfield in delaying the effective date of the 2018 ordinance."  Despite the blow, the city said it would consider an appeal. I'm thankful for the Second Amendment Foundation and other great pro-gun organizations who continually fight for our rights. Keep in mind that somebodyhas to initiate these types of proceedings and that their efforts often result in victories both big and small for law-abiding gun owners. Remember, too, how important it is that each and every responsibly armed American stay active in this fight. Every little bit you can give — your time, your money, your voice — really can make a difference.