Winnetka Repeals Handgun Ban

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WINNETKA, Ill. (WBBM) - An emotional night inside the Winnetka Village Council chamber as residents pleaded with council members to keep a 20-year old handgun ban in place.

The issue has come up because three Winnetka residents sued the village claiming the ban violated their Second Amendment rights.

Council members expressed their frustration over the vote and feared if they didn't repeal the ordinance it would cost the village thousands of dollars to fight the suit with risk of losing in court.

"This is a case of a lawsuit trumping democracy," said Councilman E. King Poor.
 
The council voted 6-0 to repeal the ban which would mean handguns in homes would now be permitted but firing guns and gun sales would stay illegal.

The lawsuit was filed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said residents of Washington, D.C., a city under federal juristiction, could keep handguns for self defense.

Resident Jeanne Bishop is upset with the repeal. She says Winnetka is a much less safe place now.

In the Chicago area, five suburbs--including Wilmette, Evanston, Morton Grove and Oak Park--had gun bans at the time of the Supreme Court ruling and had to take simliar measures to repeal bans.

Wilmette repealed its ordinance in July. Evanston revised its ordinance to allow possession of guns in homes, but the city is considering zoning changes that would prohibit gun stores and public shooting ranges.