Batavia Aldermen Shoot Down Assault-Weapons Ban

As some Chicago-area communities adopt local bans on assault weapons in the 10-day period after the signing of the state’s concealed-carry law, Batavia aldermen voted unanimously on Monday to table the matter indefinitely, effectively removing it as a possibility, the Beacon News reports. 

According to the paper, the council chambers were “packed” with gun-rights supporters, who applauded the vote. 

“The effectiveness of a local assault weapons ban in Batavia, without a statewide ban, is probably limited at best,” the Kane County Chronicle quoted City Attorney Kevin Drendel telling aldermen.

“Not only does a local ordinance have less teeth due to the limited penalty provisions, it is also less effective when there is no statewide law behind it.”

“There are so many other things we can spend time and money on that would provide a better benefit for our community, as simple as speed reduction on the highways in Batavia,” the Beacon News quoted Alderman Alan Wolff adding. “We have had more people killed in the city by cars than by guns.”

Read more at the Beacon News and Kane County Chronicle websites.