* In 1982, the city of Chicago instituted a ban on handguns. This barred civilians from possessing handguns except for those registered with the city government prior to enactment of the law. The law also specified that such handguns had to be re-registered every two years or owners would forfeit their right to possess them. In 1994, the law was amended to require annual re-registration.[53] [54] [55]
* In the wake of Chicago’s handgun ban, at least five suburbs surrounding Chicago instituted similar handgun bans. When the Supreme Court overturned the District of Columbia’s handgun ban in June 2008, at least four of these suburbs repealed their bans.[56] [57] [58] [59] [60]
* In June 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (5 to 4) that Chicago’s ban was unconstitutional.[61] Thereafter, Chicago adopted gun ordinances that required licensees to have firearm range training but prohibited firing ranges within the city.[62] After an unfavorable federal court ruling, Chicago revised its regulations to permit firing ranges within the city, subject to “comprehensive” regulations.[63] As of January 2016, there were no firing ranges within the city limits.[64]
* In December 2012, a federal appellate court ruled that an Illinois law largely banning concealed carrying of firearms was unconstitutional.[65]
* In July 2013, Illinois passed a law that permits concealed carrying of handguns, making it the last state in the U.S. to allow concealed carry.[66] By the end of 2014, nearly 91,700 concealed carry permits had been issued in the state, and 26% of these permits were issued in Cook County, which includes Chicago.[67]
* During the periods before, during, and after this law, murder rates in Chicago and the entire United States were as follows:
Murder Rates in Chicago
[68]
* During the periods before and after this law, the portion of murders committed with handguns in Chicago were as follows:
Murder Rates in Chicago with Handguns
[69]
* From as far back in time as data is available (1965) until when Chicago’s handgun ban was enacted (1982), 48% of all murders in Chicago were committed with handguns.[70]
* During the period in which Chicago’s handgun ban was effective (1982 to 2010), 59% of all murders in Chicago were committed with handguns (data unavailable for 2000 to 2002).[71]
* During the seven years prior to when Chicago’s handgun ban was lifted, 71% of all murders in Chicago were committed with handguns.[72]
* In 2011, the Chicago Police Department made an “internal policy decision to discontinue” its murder analysis reports that provided data on total firearm and handgun murders. The Chicago Police Department expects to begin publishing these reports again in 2017.[73]
