Special Chicago City Council called on gun laws

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling a special session of the City Council to consider measures he says will strengthen the city’s assault weapons ban.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Emanuel the July 17 meeting will also deal with legislation imposing stiffer penalties for gun crimes committed near schools, on buses and along routes children walk to schools.

Chicago’s existing ordinance prohibits the import, sale, transfer and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The special session is a reaction to the concealed carry bill passed by the Illinois Legislature that gives Chicago and other municipalities 10 days upon signage to pass new or updated assault weapons legislation.

The Sun-Times reports Emanuel’s ordinance would ban a list of specifically named weapons and their equivalents.