Watch CBS News

City Council Committee Approves Rewrite Of Gun Laws

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago City Council Committee has approved a rewrite of the City's gun laws that has both gun control and gun rights advocates claiming victory, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

City Council Committee Approves Rewrite Of Gun Laws

The ordinance headed for a full City Council vote Wednesday brings City gun laws in line with the state's law allowing carrying of concealed weapons.

National Rifle Association spokesman Todd Vandermyde call this a red-letter day.

"Mayor Daley's pinnacle handgun ordinance ... is now for all intents and purposes gutted, and I think that is a great day for gun owners in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois," said Vandermyde.

The number of Chicago gun laws will be cut in half. The action was needed to bring the city in line with the rest of Illinois, as a result of the recently passed statewide concealed carry gun law.

Chicago had the toughest gun laws in Illinois.

Today's action is a victory "for the little guy who wants to keep a lawful gun in his home or a concealed handgun for protection," said
Vandermyde, who tangled with powerful Ald. Ed Burke during the brief hearing.

Several of Burke's signature gun safety bills will go away if the full Council votes yes.

"Does the NRA oppose common sense safety measures in the home?" Burke heatedly asked Vandermyde.

"No we don't. We just think that decision should be left up to the individual," Vandermyde responded.

Burke complained "the NRA will work to take away" all gun safety measures.

These items will be wiped from the city's books if the full Council agrees:

  • The registration of an owner's guns
  • Required 5 hours of training
  • Transporting legal firearms can be prosecuted, vehicle impounded.
  • Using a legal firearm for protection only within the four corners of your home
  • Requiring trigger locks on guns in the home
  • Ban on laser sights
  • Ban on use of real firearms on stage or movie set

Still on the books is Chicago's ban on military-style assault rifles and a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines.

The Emanuel Administration also is proposing "Safe Zones" on and around buses and trains.

The bill would increase jail time and fines for the use of illegal firearms there.

"As a city, we have a responsibility to protect riders of buses and trains, especially the many students who rely on the CTA as a key mode of transportation, from the dangers of gun violence. I am very pleased the Public Safety Committee has taken the next step in creating new Public Transportation Safety Zones and increasing penalties for serious weapon and gun-related offenses near bus stops, bus shelters and El stations and on buses and trains," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement.

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.