On June 28, Democratic State Senator Julie Morrison (29th District) officially kicked off her reelection campaign at her campaign office on Lake Cook Road in Deerfield. Morrison was surrounded by friends, family, and more than 50 supporters as she announced the start of her campaign.
Then on July 19, surrounded by Highland Park officials, other local and state public officials, and gun safety advocates, Senator Morrison appeared at the Highland Park City Hall to announce important new gun violence prevention legislation.
The legislation introduced by Morrison, Senate Bill 2130, would give Illinois municipalities the ability to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
“My plan would give control to local communities who don’t think assault weapons have any place in their neighborhoods,” Morrison said. “It is entirely permissive and puts the power in local hands. At a time of continued inaction in Washington and Springfield, we must give local communities who want to protect their neighborhoods the ability to do so.”
Current Illinois law prohibits municipalities from enacting assault weapon bans. The practice was legal until 2013, when the controversial law allowing Illinois residents to carry concealed weapons was passed.
Highland Park was one community that enacted an assault weapons ban before the state prohibition went into effect.
“When Highland Park’s ban on assault weapons was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, I contacted Senator Morrison, urging her to draft legislation to allow all Illinois municipalities the opportunity to take action. Senate Bill 2130 provides all Illinois cities and villages the opportunity to reduce gun violence and protect their communities from mass violence and grief,” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering.
A coalition of gun safety advocates, including the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, People for a Safer Society, and Moms Together, joined Morrison in support of her proposal.
“Military style weapons have no use on our streets and cities across Illinois. These weapons of war are not designed for sport – they are designed to kill humans quickly and efficiently,” said Mark Walsh, Campaign Director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.