Chicago sets strict rules for handguns

The new law, which officials say is the strictest of its kind in the nation, was pushed by Mayor Richard Daley and passed by the City Council July 2, just a few days after the Supreme Court ruled on that Americans have a right to possess handguns for protection.

Under the ordinance, residents must take and pass a four-hour class and one hour of training at a gun range, and submit affidavits signed by state-approved firearms instructors.

Gun rights advocates were quick to criticize the process that the police department is implementing. “The purpose of all this is to simply prevent civilian firearm ownership, [and] it doesn’t make anybody safer,’’ said Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association. “When was the last time local gang-bangers went through a background check and firearm training?’’