Illinois high court says gun ban near parks unconstitutional

Source: Associated Press


Updated 1:49 pm, Thursday, February 1, 2018

CHICAGO (AP) — The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that a state law banning guns within 1,000 feet of public park violates a Second Amendment right to self-defense.

Thursday's decisive 7-0 ruling vacates the 2013 conviction of Julio Chairez for carrying a gun near a park in Aurora, west of Chicago.

The 25-page opinion calls the law "a severe burden on the recognized...right of self-defense," including because it offers no exceptions for law-abiding citizens.

It notes Chicago has over 600 city parks, so a 1,000-foot restrictive zone would bar the possession of legal guns in vast areas.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Illinois-high-court-says-gun-ban-near-parks-12543975.php