Federal Judge upholds Chicago's handgun ban

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

A federal judge today upheld Chicago’s 1982 handgun ban as Mayor Daley disclosed plans to strengthen it by following Washington D.C.’s lead.

In a 5-to-4 decision in June, the Supreme Court overturned the D.C. handgun ban on grounds that the Second Amendment establishes the right to own a handgun for personal self-defense.

Hours later, the National Rifle Association and the Illinois State Rifle Association filed lawsuits seeking to overturn handgun bans in Chicago, Morton Grove, Evanston and Oak Park. Wilmette and Morton Grove subsequently repealed their handgun bans. Chicago held fast.

Today, U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur rewarded the city for hanging tough, rejecting a pair of lawsuits challenging Chicago’s handgun freeze.

The Daley administration was pleased, but “not surprised” by the decision. City attorneys are well aware that the fight goes on.

“We believe this decision will ultimately end up in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle.

Mayor Daley seems quite happy defending an ordinance pushed through Chicago's City Council by Alderman Roti(who was identified by the U.S. Justice Department as a "high ranking made member" The Chicago Mob).No word yet from Barack Obama on this one.