Posts Tagged ‘Illinois’

WHAT HAPPENED? Illinois state law generally prohibits individuals from carrying firearms in public.  Several individuals who sought to carry firearms in public filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that the Illinois law violates the Second Amendment in Moore v. Madigan.

HOW SAFETY WINS
The Illinois judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding that there is no Second Amendment right to possess a firearm outside of the home.  The court said that the Illinois law helps promote public safety and does not prohibit a responsible, law-abiding citizen from possessing a firearm in his or her home for self-defense.  This decision is particularly important because Illinois has the strongest laws in the country regulating the carrying of firearms in public.

Black Fraternity Hosts Vigil on Quad to Honor Trayvon Martin
Rafael Guerrero, Daily Illini.com (University of Illinois), March 29, 2012

A college newspaper reports on a vigil at the University of Illinois to honor and remember Trayvon Martin, hosted by a traditional African-American fraternity.  The article discusses the “shoot first” laws and racial issues involved in that shooting.

On November 18, 2011, LCPGV filed an amicus brief in Wilson v. Cook County, a case currently before the Illinois Supreme Court that involves a Second Amendment challenge to Cook County, Illinois’ ordinance prohibiting the sale or possession of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines.

LCPGV’s brief, which was joined by the City of Chicago, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, argues that the Second Amendment does not protect the possession of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines. Even if the court finds that assault weapons and large capacity magazines do implicate the Second Amendment, the brief continues, Cook County’s ordinance banning them would satisfy review under any level of scrutiny.