No Assault Weapons Ban Coming to Hinsdale

There will not be an assault weapons ban considered in Hinsdale, according to Village President Tom Cauley and Police Chief Brad Bloom.

While Clarendon Hills trustees will discuss and possibly act on a local ordinance banning certain assault weapons Monday night, before the July 19 deadline for any such local bans, there will be no such item on Tuesday night’s Hinsdale Board of Trustees agenda.

READ: Assault Weapons Ban Being Considered In Clarendon Hills

Bloom said a local ordinance banning assault weapons would be “primarily symbolic,” as the maximum penalty for violating it would be a $750 fine, and would not in his opinion improve people’s safety in Hinsdale.

“I don’t like symbolic laws,” Bloom said.

The chief and Cauley did have discussions recently about a ban, but decided against putting it on Tuesday’s agenda. It would be the only opportunity to pass a ban according to the deadline imposed by Illinois’ new concealed carry law.

READ: What Nearby Communities Are Doing on Assault Weapons

Cauley said Bloom’s belief about a ban not improving safety in the village was part of why it won’t be proposed.

“I also do not believe that this issue is appropriate for part-time, municipal government officials who have no meaningful information on which to make an informed decision on this controversial issue that has constitutional implications,” the village president said.

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