It looks like Cook County's (IL) ban on rifles that look like assault rifles is going to die in committee. The ban went further than the national ban that expired a year ago, calling for a ban on most semi-automatic rifles with a detachable magazine. It also provided for the confiscation or disposition of currently owned firearms.

Suffredin's proposal was referred to the Board's Health and Hospitals Committee for review. IllinoisLeader.com has learned that the Suffredin's ban, thought to be an agenda item at the Cook County Board's September 20 meeting, will not be called in committee.

According to a source in county government, Committee Chairman Commissioner Jerry "Iceman" Butler has no interest in calling the ordinance preferring to let it die in committee. Butler is reportedly upset that the political hot potato was referred to his committee as opposed to the more logical choice of the Law Enforcement Committee.

I cannot help but think that the chaos following Hurricane Katrina played a significant role in this. The County board is made up of 12 Democrats and 5 Republicans and is notoriously anti-gun.