Deerfield Regulates Assault Weapons

An ordinance regulating storage and transportation of assault weapons in Deerfield was unanimously approved today by the Village Board of Trustees at its regularly scheduled meeting.

After a lengthy discussion of the proposed legislation June 17 by Trustees and citizens, the Board voted today to make sure assault weapons in Deerfield remain safe and secure when not in the owner’s possession.

“This is not a ban. When the gun is not in the control of the owner it must be locked or in a locked container,” Village Attorney Peter Colbentz said before the vote. “(In regard to transportation) if you comply with state law you comply with the ordinance,” he added in response to some who worried they would violate the legislation driving through the Village.

Mayor Harriet Rosenthal and the Trustees felt compelled to act after the Illinois General Assembly passed a conceal carry bill May 30 which included a provision removing home rule power to regulate assault weapons unless they acted quickly.

“We were given an obligation as a community to have something on our books … and not give up our home rule rights,” Rosenthal said. “Our ordinance will assure assault weapons are locked and (securely) transported.”

State Sen. Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) opposed the legislation in Springfield in part because she felt it infringed on the home rule power of municipalities like Deerfield. She favors the action taken by the Board.

“I’m sorry you are in the position you are in,” Morrison said. “You are doing what the Illinois General Assembly should have done, regulate assault weapons.”

Some in the room who spoke felt the ordinance was an attack on the United States Constitution and their individual rights. “This is the first step to just that,” Adam Rich said referring to an assault weapons ban. “It’s an abuse of our second amendment rights. This is a civil rights issue.”

The ordinance received criticism from others for not going far enough. “I’m disappointed,” Hazel Herzog said. “I’d like to see a ban. Maybe there will be some more discussion.”

Board Approves New Restaurant and More

In other action, the Board gave final approval to a healthy food restaurant at 780 Saunders Road and approved a report which could lead to an ordinance for a yoga studio on Robert York Road in the Deerfield Square development.

The Board also heard more details about a proposed apartment development in the Parkway North subdivision. Final approval could come with a vote July 15.

Patch will have more detailed stories later this week on these and other issues discussed at the meeting.

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