...but certainly not by a very wide margin...
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/24ban.html
Illinois House rejects assault weapon ban
May 24, 2005
BY CHRISTOPHER WILLS ASSOCIATED PRESS
Illinois lawmakers narrowly rejected a proposed ban on assault weapons and .50-caliber rifles Tuesday amid intense lobbying by both sides in the debate.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has repeatedly called for stronger gun control measures, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Chicago Democrat also got personally involved by calling lawmakers and distributing videos demonstrating the firepower of assault weapons.
The National Rifle Association argued that the proposed ban was too broad.
"I just don't think the state's ready for that," said NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde.
Rep. Edward Acevedo, a Democrat and also a Chicago police officer, denied the ban would have such a broad impact, saying it contained specific exceptions meant to exempt hunting and target-shooting guns and focus instead on weapons with more sinister uses.
"I believe these weapons are made for mass destruction and war," Acevedo said.
The definitions of an assault weapon vary, but the term generally applies to semi-automatic rifles with large ammunition magazines and such features as folding stocks and bayonet mountings.
The measure also targeted .50-caliber rifles, which critics say have the power and range to punch through body armor, kill someone from a mile away or even bring down an airplane as it takes off or lands.
The measure was an amendment that Acevedo attempted to add to an existing bill. It failed on a vote of 57-58 in the House on Tuesday. A swing of one vote would have given the amendment enough support to be added; approving the bill would than have taken 60 votes.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/24ban.html
Illinois House rejects assault weapon ban
May 24, 2005
BY CHRISTOPHER WILLS ASSOCIATED PRESS
Illinois lawmakers narrowly rejected a proposed ban on assault weapons and .50-caliber rifles Tuesday amid intense lobbying by both sides in the debate.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has repeatedly called for stronger gun control measures, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Chicago Democrat also got personally involved by calling lawmakers and distributing videos demonstrating the firepower of assault weapons.
The National Rifle Association argued that the proposed ban was too broad.
"I just don't think the state's ready for that," said NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde.
Rep. Edward Acevedo, a Democrat and also a Chicago police officer, denied the ban would have such a broad impact, saying it contained specific exceptions meant to exempt hunting and target-shooting guns and focus instead on weapons with more sinister uses.
"I believe these weapons are made for mass destruction and war," Acevedo said.
The definitions of an assault weapon vary, but the term generally applies to semi-automatic rifles with large ammunition magazines and such features as folding stocks and bayonet mountings.
The measure also targeted .50-caliber rifles, which critics say have the power and range to punch through body armor, kill someone from a mile away or even bring down an airplane as it takes off or lands.
The measure was an amendment that Acevedo attempted to add to an existing bill. It failed on a vote of 57-58 in the House on Tuesday. A swing of one vote would have given the amendment enough support to be added; approving the bill would than have taken 60 votes.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
