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ISRA Press Release:
Illinois State Rifle Association Takes Action
Against Cook County Gun Ban

CHICAGO, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The ISRA announced today that it is seeking injunctive relief against a gun ban recently enacted by the Cook County Board. In filing its complaint with the Cook County Circuit Court, the ISRA is asserting that compliance with the vaguely-worded ordinance would be impossible for most citizens of Cook County and, further, the method by which the ban was passed violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

On November 14, 2006, the Cook County Board passed an amendment to the existing Cook County Deadly Weapons Dealers Control Ordinance which seeks to ban the sale, possession and transfer of a variety of popular hunting and sporting firearms. The amendment, authored by Commissioner Larry Suffredin, had been tabled in July of 2005 by the Board.

"In light of the circumstances under which this amendment was passed, the ISRA felt it was important that action be taken to halt its implementation," said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "We are disappointed that the Cook County Board chose to pass this ordinance without benefit of public debate -- especially when its provisions impact such a large number of Cook County residents. In addition to the questionable procedures under which it was passed, the ordinance is so poorly worded that few, if any, firearm owners in the county would be certain that they were in compliance with its requirements."

"We are confident that the Cook County Circuit Court will recognize the shortcomings of this ordinance and grant the firearm owners of Cook County an injunction against its implementation," continued Pearson. "The ISRA and the firearm owners of Cook County are second to none in their desire to eradicate violent crime. However, we do not believe that law abiding firearm owners should take it on the chin in the process. The ISRA and its members stand ready to provide advice and guidance to the Cook County Board in the development of meaningful legislation that will fight violent crime while preserving the rights of law-abiding citizens who choose to own firearms."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful, and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

This press release is posted on US Newswire.

Posted Wed Feb 21 15:51:55 CST 2007