In the wake of a slew of recent shootings in Chicago, a federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld ordinances barring the ownership of handguns in most cases in Chicago and suburban Oak Park, handing a sharp defeat to the National Rifle Association.
The three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Second Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing the right to bear arms is not an adequate basis for lawsuits attacking local gun ordinances.
Chicago officials immediately praised the decision affirming a ruling in December by U.S. District Judge Milton I. Shadur.
"We are pleased with this decision because it means that we can continue to enforce our gun ordinance," said city law department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle.
Hoyle said she understood the NRA intended to appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. NRA spokeswoman Rachel Parsons referred questions to attorney William Howard, who did not immediately
return voicemails.
Local Handgun Ban Stands
Appeals Court says 2nd Amendment doesn't override local ordinances
Copyright AP - Associated Press
