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State's Attorney Alvarez Applauds Appellate Court's
Upholding of "Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban"

State's Attorney Anita Alvarez is applauding an Illinois Appellate Court decision that upholds the constitutionality of a Cook County Ordinance that prohibits the sale or ownership of assault weapons. The ordinance, passed by the Cook County Board of Commissioner in 2007, is named after Blair Holt, a 17-year-old high school student who was a victim of gun violence.

"Too often we see deadly assault weapons end up in the hands of criminals," said Alvarez. “We are hopeful that the court’s decision to uphold this ban will stop the flow of illegal weapons and protect citizens countywide.”

On May 10, 2007, two alleged gang members, who were attempting to ambush a rival gang member, opened fire with an illegally obtained gun on a crowded CTA bus, wounding four people and killing Holt, a Julian High School student.

In the aftermath of this tragedy the Cook County Board of Commissioners took action and introduced the “Blair Holt Assault Weapons Ban” Ordinance to prohibit the sale or ownership of these weapons in unincorporated Cook County.

After passage the new law was challenged by gun rights advocates. In June, assistant state's attorneys argued before the Illinois Appellate Court and yesterday, in a unanimous decision, the court upheld the constitutionality of the ordinance.

Alvarez thanked Assistant State's Attorneys Paul Castiglione, Jeff McCutcheon, Marilyn Schlesinger, and Seth Shippee for their work on the case.