Friday, April 06, 2012

Illinois Supreme Court Ruling in Matthew D. Wilson v. The County of Cook Strongly Supports the Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban Ordinance of Cook County

Chicago, Illinois April 5, 2012 - Cook County Commissioners Larry Suffredin and Deborah Sims are grateful for the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling in Matthew D. Wilson v. The County of Cook that upholds the Cook County Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban.

“Both Commissioner Sims and I are grateful for a ruling that ensures the public safety of the citizens of Cook County,” stated Larry Suffredin, Commissioner for the 13th District of Cook County. “We applaud the efforts of the Cook County State’s Attorney in defending the Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban and we are looking forward to the law protecting adults and children in the future,” Suffredin stated.

The Assault Weapons Ban ordinance was named after Blair Holt, a 16 year old Chicago student who was tragically shot and killed while riding home from school. “Blair Holt lives on with this ordinance and he will continue to protect the citizens of Cook County, just like he protected his fellow student when he lost his life,” said Deborah Sims, Commissioner for the 5th District of Cook County.

In its decision, the Illinois Supreme Court stated that the ordinance did not violate the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the United States Constitution. Although the decision did not specifically rule on whether the ordinance was unconstitutional under Second Amendment of the United State’s Constitution, the Illinois Supreme Court explained that the regulation probably did not infringe on a citizen’s right to bear arms. In citing the Supreme Court of the United State’s, the Illinois Supreme Court stated that “...the second amendment does not provide a right to possess any weapon whatsoever...”

“We are looking forward to the lower courts’ review of the Illinois Supreme Court’s opinion. We are hopeful that they will continue to uphold the ban,” stated Suffredin.