Flossmoor to Contemplate Assault Weapons Ban Tonight

Flossmoor's trustees will discuss approval of an assault weapons ban during tonight's community meeting.

The need to decide on the potential forbiddance of assault weapons has been expedited since the passage of concealed-carry on July 9. As part of the new law, any government that wants to ban assault weapons must do so within 10 days of its passage.

In a memo to the board, Flossmoor Village Manager Bridget Wachtel identifies several issues of concern with adopting an assault weapons ban—such as whether non-home rule communities can enact such an ordinance and whether or not it would be in compliance with federal law. As such, Mayor Paul Braun requested that tonight's meeting be merely a discussion. Should the board decide to pursue the ban, a special meeting will be called prior to the July 19 deadline for a vote.

The ban already has considerable backing, though. Flossmoor Chief Michael Pulec endorsed the ordinance in a recent memo to the board.

"… Semiautomatic assault weapons pose a grave risk to our officers and the community we serve," he said. However, Pulec also acknowledged no such cases have yet been dealt with in Flossmoor.

The discussion has already opened up on illinoiscarry.com.

"Seems they are giving it a little more thought and opening it up for discussion as opposed to their neighbors in Homewood who just steam rolled it through without any discussion or notification to the members of their community," reads one comment on the message thread.

Tonight's meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road.

You can read the full meeting agenda online.