Posted on 06/25/2013 4:39:54 PM PDT by ConservativeInPA
Mayor Rahm Emanuel hopes to keep gunslingers away from public schools, buses and “safe passage” routes by creating a city ordinance with stiff fines for weapon offenses.
The proposed ordinance comes on the heels of CPS’ closing of 49 elementary schools under a plan to tackle low enrollment. Most of the schools are on the West and South Sides.
The closings have prompted CPS to expand the number of protected safe-passage routes that students take to school. Parents are concerned that their children will have to cross gang boundaries on their way to new schools.
The ordinance, which the mayor intends to introduce Wednesday to the City Council, would create new “school safety zones.” Anyone convicted of possessing a gun, ammunition or another “dangerous weapon” in a zone would face a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 for the first offense and a mandatory 30 days in jail.
A second offense would carry a fine of $5,000 to $15,000 and a mandatory three months in jail.
A third offense would carry a fine of $10,000 to $20,000 and a mandatory six-month jail term.
The zones would cover property within 1,000 feet of a school — including parks — during school operating hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. They also would include safe-passage routes and buses during those hours.
A city ordinance violation carries less potential time behind bars than a misdemeanor or felony conviction.
“We are always going to seek the highest level of charging for any crime,” said Steve Georgas, deputy chief of patrol for the Chicago Police. “But if the state’s attorney does not agree, this gives us another tool.”
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), who plans to sponsor the ordinance, said gang members “need to understand schools are off-limits.” He said the stiff fines could serve as a deterrent.
But Todd Vandermyde, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Illinois, blasted the proposal as a “feel-good announcement that will not achieve anything.”
Vandermyde said anyone who obtains a concealed-carry permit in the future would be exempt from the ordinance. That would leave criminals who have not obtained their guns legally, he said.
“Do you honestly see judges issuing $10,000 fines to gang-bangers?” he said. “Judges are letting gang-bangers off the hook with felony UUW [gun possession] convictions.”
Vandermyde also wondered whether the city could legally impose a fine larger than the $2,500 maximum fine for the more serious crime of misdemeanor gun possession.
“Every time Chicago has crossed the line, we have shown we will take them to court,” he said.
“revenue enhancement”
So if the perp does a drive by shooting near a school he has the fear of a big fine..........bahahahahaha
Then Jessie can sue him for ‘disproportionately targeting’ the sons of Obama who DO the gun crime near schools...win/win.
Yup, we’ve got to draw the line at the school house door. Anarchy is fine elsewhere, but stay away from the schools or we might actually come after you!
Wouldn’t that be great.
I will *never* visit Chicago. It’s a shame to say that because I’d really love to visit some of the museums there but when it is safer for me to take my family to see the museums in Baghdad then I can’t justify taking the kids to Chicago.
Oh yeah: This will scare the piss out of a gang member.
Is he kidding us?
this is all about revenue generation and keeping law abiding people disarmed.
I have always wanted to go the the Field Museum in Chicago. I used to work in Chicago as a consultant in the early 90’s. I ain’t going back.
If he doesn’t, someone should sue them both for discrimination ;)
Al Sharpton sues Jessie for not suing Rahm. Priceless.
And if he drives by faster than 20mph, even bigger fine.
Ohh I feel so much safer...
And we sue Al for bigotry because no or almost no whites get arrested ;)
Much like the rest of this once great country.
If he can’t stop the gun crime how is he going to force payment of the fines?
Think about it.. Tagging a $5,000 fine on a multiple murder will scare the begeebers out of any fiscally conscience gangbanger on a drive-by.. GEEEEZE, whats wrong with this picture?.. :)
Getting money from the lowlife shooters will be like getting blood out of a turnip.
i doubt there's anything up there that would interest a fag like him...
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