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SPRINGFIELD -- A suburban lawmaker is one step closer to protecting the Cabela's Outdoor Superstore in Hoffman Estates from proposed gun restrictions.
State Rep. Randy Ramey, a Carol Stream Republican, proposed that no county could impose stricter limitations on the sale or transportation of guns, their attachments and ammunition than already set forth by state law. His plan cleared a House committee Tuesday.
The measure comes as a preventive response to Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin's attempt to ban gun shows and prohibit gun sales within a mile of a park or school. Cabela's is about a half-mile from Prairie Stone Sports and Wellness Center, a local park district facility.
The $32 million outdoor gear and firearm superstore opened in September, with $18 million in incentives from Hoffman Estates. Its sales tax receipts are projected to annually bring about $1.8 million to the village and $675,000 to Cook County.
"Why would you want a big business like that put out of business?" Ramey asked Tuesday.
Suffredin's proposal from late last year to restrict the location of where gun shops can operate has not yet been acted upon.
Ramey said he was approached by the National Rifle Association to sponsor the legislation, though Hoffman Estates is not in his district.
"My brother and my father do a lot of shopping there," Ramey said of Cabela's.
The gun proposal unanimously passed the House Agriculture and Conservation committee, which is typically friendly in handling such legislation. But it likely faces a far tougher future with the full House. In recent years, lawmakers have bitterly sparred over whether local authorities can enact and enforce gun laws that exceed the state requirements.
Story
SPRINGFIELD -- A suburban lawmaker is one step closer to protecting the Cabela's Outdoor Superstore in Hoffman Estates from proposed gun restrictions.
State Rep. Randy Ramey, a Carol Stream Republican, proposed that no county could impose stricter limitations on the sale or transportation of guns, their attachments and ammunition than already set forth by state law. His plan cleared a House committee Tuesday.
The measure comes as a preventive response to Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin's attempt to ban gun shows and prohibit gun sales within a mile of a park or school. Cabela's is about a half-mile from Prairie Stone Sports and Wellness Center, a local park district facility.
The $32 million outdoor gear and firearm superstore opened in September, with $18 million in incentives from Hoffman Estates. Its sales tax receipts are projected to annually bring about $1.8 million to the village and $675,000 to Cook County.
"Why would you want a big business like that put out of business?" Ramey asked Tuesday.
Suffredin's proposal from late last year to restrict the location of where gun shops can operate has not yet been acted upon.
Ramey said he was approached by the National Rifle Association to sponsor the legislation, though Hoffman Estates is not in his district.
"My brother and my father do a lot of shopping there," Ramey said of Cabela's.
The gun proposal unanimously passed the House Agriculture and Conservation committee, which is typically friendly in handling such legislation. But it likely faces a far tougher future with the full House. In recent years, lawmakers have bitterly sparred over whether local authorities can enact and enforce gun laws that exceed the state requirements.
