An Illinois judge will hear arguments Friday about a temporary restraining order against Deerfield’s ban on certain semi-automatic guns. The ban is scheduled to go into effect June 13, but pro-gun groups are seeking an order to delay the enforcement of the law.
Lawyers for the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation say the injunction is necessary because otherwise village residents could have their guns confiscated and be fined in accordance with an illegal law.
One legal challenge concerns the matter of whether Deerfield even has the authority to enact such a law. Illinois in 2013 passed a preemption law in 2013 that revoked the ability of municipalities to pass gun control legislation that differs from state-level mandates.
The law bans what it calls “assault weapons”—and lists specifications that define a gun as an assault weapon—and outlaws magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
“Deerfield’s ban prohibits possession of the most popular sporting rifles in the United States,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA. “These firearms are used every day by law-abiding citizens for self-defense, target shooting, hunting and other lawful purposes.”
The hearing will be in Lake County.
