Hartstein: Gun Ordinance Preserves Local Control

Nearly two dozen citizens spoke Monday night in opposition of Buffalo Grove's proposed assault weapon ordinance.

The only person who voiced support for it was former Village President Elliott Hartstein, who said it was necessary for Buffalo Grove, a home-rule community, to maintain the ability to address the matter in the future.

"All this ordinance does tonight is preserve local control so that you, each and every one of you, if you are concerned about something, you can have a debate, you can come and make your arguments as you each have attempted to do tonight," Hartstein stressed during his second trip to the microphone during the public comment portion of the meeting.

"We should not allow the state of Illinois and our friends in Springfield to take that right away from the Village of Buffalo Grove or from any other community.”

The Village Board voted 4-3 for what officials called a "placeholder" ordinance that will allow elected officials to revisit the issue at a later date. Following the recent passage of the state's concealed carry law, local municipalities have until July 19 to create ordinances if they want to preserve the ability to enact their own related ordinances. Otherwise, they will be required to follow the state law.