The town of Highland has joined a growing chorus of local government bodies calling for changes to existing gun laws.

The Town Council during its Monday night meeting voted 5-0 to pass a resolution asking state and federal lawmakers to “adopt common sense weapon safety laws, keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of violent criminals, domestic abusers and severely mentally ill persons.” The vote follows one of the same nature this month by the Lake County Council.

Councilman Steve Wagner, D-4th, said his vote for the measure was sealed Saturday after attending Highland’s “March For Our Lives” rally in Main Square Park.

“It was very touching to hear those kids out there,” Wagner said. “I pray to God there’s a day when we don’t have to live in fear, and I hope this resolution will push us toward that.”

Terry Steagall, of Highland, also attended the Highland rally Saturday. He was most moved by a boy about 11 or 12 years old who couldn’t finish his speech to the crowd.

“If these kids are scared to go to school, how are they learning?” Steagall said. “They’re the future of the country.”

Barry Halgrimson, of Munster, said the town’s vote could act as an incentive for other communities to sign on and pass their own resolutions. But the vote’s true power could be in that it shows kids their elected officials are hearing them.

“Maybe now that the kids are seeing they can make a difference, they’ll grow to be good, active citizens that understand the power of responsive government,” Halgrimson said.

During a study session before the meeting, council president Mark Herak, D-2nd, expressed skepticism about the council getting involved in “national matters.” The council in October held off on passing a resolution decrying the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy but did pass one condemning the Unite the Right rally in August in Charlottesville, Va., that ended in violence.

In the end, it was the kids who changed his mind as well.

“Do I think (the resolution) will do any good? Probably not,” he said. “But if it helps the kids, I’m open-minded to it.”

This month, the Lake County Council passed a resolution asking state and federal lawmakers to pass legislation creating stricter gun laws and eliminating legal loopholes in the background check system. The county’s resolution said the council’s hands are tied when it comes to passing any local ordinances regarding firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories.

Several groups have petitioned the council and board of commissioners to better regulate gun sales at the Lake County Fairgrounds. The board of commissioners is exploring its options on how to create some policy for business conducted at the fairgrounds.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.