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Chicago's newly minted handgun regulation law goes into effect today, less than a month after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the city's ban on handguns.
The new ordinance bans gun shops in Chicago and prohibits gun owners from stepping outside their homes, even onto their porches or in their garages, with a handgun.
Lawsuits have already been filed by a man who wants to open a gun shop in Lincoln Park, and by four residents along with a gun sellers group. They claim the ordinance is unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court ruled in June that Americans have the right to have handguns for self-defense. The ruling effectively made the city's 28-year-old gun ban unenforceable.
Starting today, anyone who wants to get a handgun must obtain a Chicago firearm permit. People who have committed violent crimes, or have two or more convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will not be allowed permits.
Key provisions of the ordinance include:
•Firearm sales will be banned in the city.
•Gun training totaling four hours in a classroom and an hour on a firing range will be required before getting a permit. But firing ranges are banned, so training must be completed outside Chicago.
•To transport a gun, it will have to be "broken down," not immediately accessible, unloaded, and in a firearm case.
•Firearms may be possessed only inside the dwelling. It will be illegal to have a gun in the garage, on the front porch or in the yard. Guns also will not be allowed in hotels, dorms and group-living facilities.
The new ordinance bans gun shops in Chicago and prohibits gun owners from stepping outside their homes, even onto their porches or in their garages, with a handgun.
Lawsuits have already been filed by a man who wants to open a gun shop in Lincoln Park, and by four residents along with a gun sellers group. They claim the ordinance is unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court ruled in June that Americans have the right to have handguns for self-defense. The ruling effectively made the city's 28-year-old gun ban unenforceable.
Starting today, anyone who wants to get a handgun must obtain a Chicago firearm permit. People who have committed violent crimes, or have two or more convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will not be allowed permits.
Key provisions of the ordinance include:
•Firearm sales will be banned in the city.
•Gun training totaling four hours in a classroom and an hour on a firing range will be required before getting a permit. But firing ranges are banned, so training must be completed outside Chicago.
•To transport a gun, it will have to be "broken down," not immediately accessible, unloaded, and in a firearm case.
•Firearms may be possessed only inside the dwelling. It will be illegal to have a gun in the garage, on the front porch or in the yard. Guns also will not be allowed in hotels, dorms and group-living facilities.
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