Elmhurst Officials Push 'Common-Sense' Gun Laws

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's elected officials said Tuesday that Highland Park residents were in their thoughts after the mass shooting during the town's Fourth of July parade.

They also called for more gun regulations, addressing the topic near the end of a City Council meeting.

They seemed to recognize the partisan nature of the gun issue. The mayor and aldermen hold nonpartisan offices.

"I will not weigh in on the political arguments, but we must really work together to address what is happening in our communities and our society," Mayor Scott Levin said. "No matter what side of the political spectrum you're on, there are things that most of us can agree on, including keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people."

He urged residents to use their voices to support "common-sense gun laws and common-sense gun safety."

He also asked residents to report "unusual behaviors or activities" to police.

Alderwoman Marti Deuter said local government's main job is public safety.

"We can't say we are doing everything to protect our public and our officers and responders if we remain silent on common-sense gun regulations," Deuter said. "I challenge all of us to consider who should have access to assault weapons, what actions at the federal level need to be taken and what role we should play in advocating for changes. What we've done and can do locally isn't enough."

Alderman Chris Jensen said a "narrow few" believe freedom means allowing troubled people in their teens and early 20s to have "unfettered access to weapons of war."

But he said for him and a majority of Americans, liberty means being free of the fear of being killed by such weapons.

"There is no single solution to this, but I think we can and we must address it from both sides – mental health and firearm access," Jensen said.

He said city officials officially have no say on gun laws.

"But I know that there are people in our community that engage in politics beyond the city level. I implore you to use your influence to move the needle where common sense, not political aspiration, is the deciding factor," Jensen said.