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Matteson officials oppose proposal to void local gun control policiesBy Robin TankoMatteson officials Tuesday agreed to take a stance against a state bill that could eliminate local gun control.Officials began a length^ discussion after village trustee candidate Denise Clemons requested the board’s position on House Bill 568 at Tuesday night’s Village Board meeting.Under the bill —introduced by state Rep. Larry Wennlund, R-New Lenox, — state firearm requirements would override all local gun laws and give thestate exclusive power to regulate firearm sales and distribution.The board — minus Trustee Michael Perry — agreed to draft a letter to local state legislators and Gov. Jim Edgar opposing HB 568.Last week, the Cook County Board approved a resolution opposing Wenn-lund’s controversial bill.Matteson’s stance also will join the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association’s and the Illinois Municipal League’s opposition to the bill, according to Backus.The SSMMA passed a resolution that supports local control.Currently, Matteson has no local ordinances on gun control and is under county control as a non-home rule municipality. The bill also could restrict county control.No specialized gun shops selling firearms operate in the village, but rifles can be purchased at Kmart, Village Administrator Ralph Coglianese said.According to Village President Mark Strieker, the village can exert some control by enacting certain zoning requirements.“But sometimes we are governed by a higher law,” Strieker said at Tuesday’smeeting.Now, the state requires owner identification cards, a waiting period prior to purchase and prohibits unlawful discharge.However, the bill fails to impose any specific state gun regulations on municipalities, Coglianese told the board.“It removes local control but gives noindication of what, if anything, thestate would impose,” Strieker said.“Local government would lose powerand not have that power replaced with anything.”Trustees agreed they want to know what would be gained by the potential legislation.“Until I know what kind of (gun control) laws the state will pass, I would rather not support the current bill,” Junge said. “I support local government.”
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Hazel Crest Star
Hazel Crest, Illinois, US
Sun, Feb 26, 1995
Page 4
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