The northern suburb of Winnetka repealed its 20-year handgun ban last week, joining others such as Morton Grove and Wilmette. But despite what one recent report said, Oak Park is still working to uphold its ordinance.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Washington D.C.’s handgun ban. The National Rifle Association then filed lawsuits against various communities, including Oak Park, to effect similar results.
Winnetka put up the white flag, for fear of paying thousands in legal fees to fight the NRA, according to the Chicago Tribune. Oak Park, meanwhile, is teaming up with the City of Chicago to save costs. Chicago-based law firm Mayer Brown is providing pro bono services to help Oak Park in the fight, says Village Manager Tom Barwin.
Oak Park was served with the NRA lawsuit in August, Barwin said, which is currently in the appeals process. Village Attorney Ray Heise is researching the case to assess if the village is at risk of any legal costs, Barwin added.
The village believes its ban, in place since 1984, will hold up in court because voters approved it in a referendum the following year.
“This isn’t like some village board adopted it willy-nilly based on the impulse of one moment,” Barwin said. “This was an ordinance that was voted upon by a 54-percent majority of Oak Parkers.”
The NRA’s lawsuit names the Village of Oak Park and President David Pope as defendants. The plaintiffs are the NRA and two village residents, NRA members Robert Klein Engler and Dr. Gene Reisinger. Both men declined to comment to the Wednesday Journal in July
Barwin is uncertain when the next step of the legal process will take place. The suit is in a “quiet period” as attorneys are finalizing briefs.
The Oak Park Board of Health hopes to produce a plan next year if the village is forced to repeal its handgun ban. It would focus on safety, education and health impacts in an environment where handguns were legal here for the first time in 24 years, said Frank Vozak, chair of the health board.
“Oak Park has been a leader in being gun free, meaning many in Oak Park don’t know much about a handgun,” Vozak said at a meeting earlier this month.
-Marty Stempniak
