NRA Backed Challenge to Illinois Village Gun Ban Filed

Fairfax, Va. - With support from the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), Guns Save Life has officially filed their lawsuit today challenging the recent attempt by Deerfield Village, IL to criminalize so-called “assault weapons” and “high capacity magazines” within village limits.

“Deerfield’s ban prohibits possession of the most popular sporting rifles in the United States,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA. “These firearms are used every day by law-abiding citizens for self-defense, target shooting, hunting, and other lawful purposes.”

The lawsuit contends that Deerfield’s bans are preempted by both the Illinois Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act, and the Illinois Wildlife Act. The bans also violate the Illinois Constitution’s guarantee that private property shall not be taken or damaged without just compensation.

“The firearms and magazines that Deerfield’s ordinance labels as ‘assault weapons’ and ‘large capacity’ magazines are widely owned by law-abiding gunowners throughout Illinois,” said Guns Save Life executive director John Bosh. “The General Assembly has already determined that Illinois gunowners should not be subjected to a confusing patchwork of inconsistent local regulations, and the Deerfield ordinance flies in the face of that important principle of Illinois law. We thank the NRA for their assistance in this fight.”

The lawsuit was filed this morning with the Circuit Court of Lake County.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.