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Let local communities ban assault weapons

Over the last few days, all Americans have been confronted with the tragedy in Orlando. The mass slaughtering of defenseless citizens should sadden and scare, but also enrage each one of us.

Aurora, Newtown, San Bernardino. Now add Orlando. Before we simply shake our heads, wring our hands, and go on about our lives, let's do something - right here in Illinois.

We need to empower our state and our local communities to enact common-sense regulations to protect our residents. Our communities need the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of their citizens and evolving threats against their public safety.

Last year, I introduced a legislative proposal that would restore the ability of communities to ban assault weapons if that's what the local leaders and local residents wanted.

The legislation is Senate Bill 2130.

Our communities had this right to exercise local control until July 9, 2013. It was taken away as part of a broader deal that let people carry concealed, loaded weapons in our state.

Only a handful of communities took action to have their own laws in place before the door was shut three years ago. Highland Park was one of them. Highland Park's local ban on assault weapons was challenged by the NRA all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Last year, the nation's high court sided with Highland Park.

If our national and state leaders aren't willing to take on the NRA, let's at least give local governments the ability to enact local safety regulations that local residents want.

The Senate's Judiciary Committee has a special subcommittee to explore firearms issues. I'm asking that group to take up SB 2130 and restore local control for public safety. I encourage all Illinoisans to stand up for common sense regulation as a beginning to end the tragedy of gun violence.

Sen. Julie Morrison

Deerfield

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