Watch CBS News

Scarred Acid Victims Ask City To Crack Down On Sales

Updated: Nov. 8 2010, 1:15 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) - Two women left permanently scarred from acid attacks testified before Chicago aldermen Monday morning in support of a proposed ordinance that cracks down on dangerous substances sold in the city.

Karli Butler and Esperanza Medina were attacked with sulfuric acid in separate incidents. They have since joined forces, to try to urge lawmakers in Chicago and Springfield to restrict access to acids and make it harder to use them as a weapon.

While some aldermen acknowledge the proposal isn't perfect, they recommended the full council pass the measure.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Craig Dellimore Reports

Podcast

"I am happy, so elated that we have gotten this attention and it's happening," said Butler.

Sulfuric acid is nasty stuff, but it also has legitimate uses as a cleaning agent.

Anyone can walk into a hardware store and buy it -- no questions asked.

Butler and Medina want to make sure the acid remains accessible to those who really need it, but out of reach of someone who is looking for a weapon.

Butler was attacked with acid in 2006 by somebody who was angry with her boyfriend at the time. She has scars on her face, her stomach and her arms.

Medina and Butler became friends this summer, during the trial of two women who threw acid in Medina's face.

Together, they have convinced Alderman Ed Burke and State Rep. Susana Mendoza to make it harder for someone to use sulfuric acid as a weapon.

"I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be put behind the counter or why they shouldn't regulate who can purchase it especially when people are getting hurt. I think the public's safety and protection is much more important than a dollar," Butler said.

Mendoza is working on her bill on the state level and could bring it to the floor during this month's veto session in Springfield.

"Your average citizen day in and day out does not need access to this. Now, if you want to get extra strength Nyquil, you can't -- you need to sign up for a registry," Rep. Mendoza said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.