Chicago bans guns in places that serve booze

Renita D. Young | Special for USA TODAY

CHICAGO - The Chicago City Council fired a retaliatory shot in the gun-control battle Wednesday, passing ordinances that ban concealed weapons in many liquor businesses.

Chicago, home to some of the toughest gun-control measures in the nation, suffered a setback in December when a federal appeals court ruled that an Illinois concealed-weapons ban was unconstitutional.

While Chicago officials reluctantly agreed to adopt the law Wednesday, they approved concealed-weapons regulations for many bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

"Bullets and booze don't mix," said Alderman Edward Burke, one of the sponsors of the ordinance.

Burke added that Chicago is ready for a fight if someone wants to challenge its new gun-control measures.

"For those of you who might be worried about the expense of defending this when the NRA (National Rifle Association) sues, as they've threatened to do, (a Chicago law firm) has agreed to represent the city to defend this matter on a pro bono basis," Burke said.

Under the new gun laws, businesses that serve alcohol are required to place a sign in their window banning guns on the premises. The ordinance attempts to prevent booze and firearms in one place, according to Donal Quinlan, a spokesman for the city finance committee.

"What we're essentially doing is making it mandatory for establishments to exercise that right to say, 'No guns here,' " Quinlan said. "We can't regulate guns, but we can revoke their liquor license if they don't exercise that right."

The rule would not apply to liquor or grocery stores that sell packaged liquor. One provision of the law will allow weapons inside any business where alcohol sales account for less than half of the store's revenue.

Chicago's murder statistics have drawn national attention, and city leaders have been trying to come up with ways to lower the numbers. More than 500 people were murdered in 2012, the city's highest total since 2008.

However, the per capita murder rate was not in the top 20 for the nation, a fact often pointed to by city officials.

Nevertheless, gun violence has often shone a negative spotlight on the city. This year, Chicago saw several heart-wrenching killings, including that of teenager Hadiya Pendleton.

Pendleton, 15, was slain Jan. 29. She was shot in the back while standing with friends inside Harsh Park in Chicago after taking her final exams. She was killed a week after performing at events for President Obama's second inauguration. First lady Michelle Obama attended her funeral.

City Council members also voted Wednesday to impose stricter penalties on those who commit a gun crime within 100 feet of city public transportation centers. The ordinance reates "public transportation safety zones," an extension of existing "Safe Passage" zones meant to protect students traveling to and from school.

"We are sending the message that we will not tolerate any violence around our students," Alderman Pat Dowel said. "Regardless of how they get to school or other activities, students should feel safe."

In December 2012, an appeals court ruled Illinois' concealed-carry ban unconstitutional and gave the state six months to create a concealed-carry law. Illinois approved a concealed-carry law in July, giving the state control of gun regulations, essentially reversing Chicago's requirement of gun owners to register their weapons and have a Chicago firearm permit.

Local gun rights advocates praised the new ordinance that weakened restrictions on carrying guns in Chicago.

"We're very happy to see that the Chicago firearm registration is gone," said Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, the local arm of the National Rifle Association.

Pearson, however, took issue with the city mandating business owners who sell alcohol to place a sign in their windows banning guns. "That's simply bullying by the city of Chicago. It diminishes personal property rights, Second Amendment rights," Pearson said.

CONTRIBUTING: Associated Press