Guns Save Life’s motto is simple: “We defend your right to defend yourself.” So when we saw Deerfield, Illinois amend a local ordinance to ban America’s favorite rifle and many similar guns, we didn’t sit around and complain. We took action. We’re pleased to announce a lawsuit challenging the Village of Deerfield’s gun confiscation ordinance.
After all, the newly amended ordinance clearly violates the constitutional rights of not only Deerfield residents, but any visitors to the community and those just passing through. The change even stripped out language that granted immunity for those using one of these guns for lawful self-defense.
The AR-15 stands as America’s favorite rifle for a number of very good reasons. People young and old can effectively utilize the AR platform for competition, recreation and self-defense. Yes, guns protect families. Guns protect children.
Banning one of the most effective guns widely in use by America’s nearly 100 million gun owners will only serve to protect criminals, lunatics and terrorists.
Particularly when it comes to women and teens, Uncle Joe Biden’s sage advice to just buy a shotgun stands as seriously ignorant.
As an Illinois-based gun rights organization known for its aggressive civil rights advocacy, Guns Save Life holds six meetings across Illinois each month. We’re known for our roadside highway sign program based on the old Burma-Shave signs. Over a half-million people see our signs each day. One of my favorite slogans:
DIALED 911
AND I’M ON HOLD
SURE WISH I HAD
THAT GUN I SOLD
GunsSaveLife.com
We also publish GunNews (current issue here available for download) each month.
The Deerfield ordinance needed to be challenged. Guns Save Life, with the assistance of our friends at the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, has filed suit to stop this unconstitutional move by a local government in Illinois.
This latest court action represents GSL’s second civil rights lawsuit against unconstitutional local ordinances in the Land of Lincoln. We’re also a party to Guns Save Life v. Ali, a suit challenging Cook County’s gun and ammo tax. That suit remains ongoing.
The NRA-ILA has issued this press release:
NRA to support Guns Save Life in Illinois Lawsuit
Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today announced support for a lawsuit brought by Guns Save Life challenging the Village of Deerfield, Illinois’ gun confiscation ordinance. The lawsuit challenges Deerfield’s recent attempt to criminalize so-called “assault weapons” and “high capacity magazines” within village limits.“Every law-abiding villager of Deerfield has the right to protect themselves, their homes, and their loved ones with the firearm that best suits their needs,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA. “The National Rifle Association is pleased to assist Guns Save Life in defense of this freedom.”
By amending an existing 2013 ordinance, the Village Board of Trustees has now empowered local authorities to confiscate and destroy all so-called “assault weapons” and “high capacity magazines” possessed within village limits. The amendment also imposes a daily fine ranging between $250 and $1,000.
“We are going to fight this ordinance, which clearly violates our member’s constitutional rights, and with the help of the NRA I believe we can secure a victory for law-abiding gun owners in and around Deerfield,” said John Boch, executive director of Guns Save Life.