Lyons Approves Ordinance to safeguard public in gun sales

Lyons Approves Ordinance to safeguard public in gun sales

(See supporting documents, ordinance, settlement agreement and key points at end of story.)

Lyons, Illinois – Village Mayor Christopher Getty today announced that the village has approved an ordinance that spells out procedures to help crackdown on the sale of guns to “straw purchasers.”

The ordinance responds to a lawsuit filed last July by Chicago activists who alleged three suburban Chicago communities including Lyons are responsible for guns sold legally at a village-based gun shop that later made their way into the hands of criminals.

Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty (2nd from left) is joined by Cook County Sheriff's representative Michael Anton, Lyons Deputy Police Chief Matthew Buckley and attorney Burton S. Odelson

Getty said he is confident Lyons would have been dismissed from the lawsuit, but said taking action to increase the safety and security of residents is a priority. In response, the plaintiffs have agreed to remove the Village of Lyons from their lawsuit.

“The new ordinance approved today spells out a strategy to help prevent straw buyers from purchasing guns that end up in the hands of criminals,” Getty said.

“Working with the Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, the plaintiffs, the Lyons Police and the gun shop in Lyons, we believe that through this partnership we can significantly reduce the likelihood of legally purchased guns ending up in the hands of people who use them in the commission of a crime.”

The ordinance calls for close cooperation between the Village of Lyons and the gun shop, Midwest Sporting Goods, 8565 Plainfield Rd, which is the only gun retailer in Lyons.

A few components would include the gun shop sharing the same information with the Village of Lyons Police that they provide to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, random inspections by the local officials as well as providing proper training to gun shop employees to better detect straw purchases.

“Some guns that are sold legally do fall into the hands of the wrong people. But the gun dealer, who cooperated with us, and the Village of Lyons have no control over that, we can only aim to work together to continue to make policies better” Getty said.

“This is about being practical to prevent the sale of guns to the wrong people.”

The ordinance was approved unanimously at a special board meeting held on Tuesday afternoon (October 27, 2015) and becomes law immediately.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

KEY POINTS IN ORDINANCE

1.    Information on legal FOID card holders who are denied purchase of a gun will be transmitted within 48 hours of the denial to the Lyons Police Department (potential legal purchasers who appear to be straw buyers).

2.    All “trace” information received from ATF or the Illinois State Police regarding prospective illegal gun purchasers will be transmitted to the Lyons Police Department.

3.    At least two random inspections of the gun shop will be made by Lyons Police and the Sheriff of Cook County, collectively, and will include inspection and approval of an anti-theft safety plan which includes:

a.    exterior lighting;
b.    surveillance video cameras, including point-of-sale;
c.    alarm systems; and
d.    safe storage of weapons and ammunition.
4.    Inspection and approval of internal record keeping procedures and inventory audits.
5.    Employee background checks and training.
6.    Maintain a “DO NOT SELL” list.
7.    Record all persons who purchase multiple guns within a 12-month period.
8.    An Intergovernmental Agreement between Lyons and the Sheriff of Cook County to work collectively in doing inspections and sharing documents.
9.    Enforcement of the Ordinance through the Mayor’s office whereby if there are more than two violations of the business regulations, the Mayor may suspend or revoke the business license of the gun shop.

Click here to view the lawsuit Settlement Agreement (PDF)

Click here to view the Village of Lyons Ordinance (PDF)