The Village of Deerfield, Illinois’ assault weapons ban was passed by the Deerfield village board after the Parkland mass shooting. The law requiring gun owners to turn in or remove their scary black rifles from the village was set to take effect tomorrow.
But John Boch reports that after hearing arguments in a suit brought by Guns Save Life and the National Rifle Association today, a Lake County circuit court judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the Chicago suburb’s ban until the suit can be decided.
The Deerfield assault weapons ban, outlawing AR pattern rifles and large capacity magazines, is in direct conflict with Illinois’ preemption law that prohibits cities from enacting gun control measures that are more restrictive than state law. Deerfield flipped a metaphorical middle finger at that legal restriction, daring someone to challenge them. So far, Guns Save Life and the NRA have been up to the task.
So Deerfield residents are off the hook, at least for now. More when the judge’s opinion becomes available.