Statement from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Circuit Court Ruling Upholding the County’s Firearm and Ammunition Tax

I applaud last week’s Cook County Circuit Court ruling that upholds the County’s Firearm and Ammunition Tax, which was approved by the Board of Commissioners in November, 2015.  The ruling by Circuit Court Judge David B. Atkins granting the County’s motion for summary judgment in the case of Guns Save Life v. Ali upholds our position that the taxes are proper exercise of the County’s Home Rule powers and do not in any meaningful way impede an individual’s ability to exercise their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.  I am grateful that the Court’s ruling sustains the authority granted to home rule units of government.

Background:

The Court found that:

• The County’s Firearm and Ammunition Tax does not violate the Second or Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
• The Ordinance is uniform and does not violate the uniformity clause of the Illinois State Constitution.
• The Ordinance does not violate Article I, Section 22 of the Illinois State Constitution.
• The FOID Act and Firearm Conceal and Carry Act do not preempt the Firearm and Ammunition Tax Ordinance.

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in 2015 alleging the taxes violated their right to keep and bear arms.