Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel is pushing for a statewide handgun registry.
Mayor Emanuel says handgun violence affects all of Illinois - NOT just the city of Chicago. But he admits it could be difficult to get downstate lawmakers on the same page. Emanuel says he didn't go into this because he thought it would be a slam dunk.
State law already makes gun owners get a Firearm Owners I-D or FOID card. Emanuel's plan would make people register the handguns themselves - like getting a title for a car. State Representative Mike Bost of Murphysboro says the proposal would require a $65 registration fee that would be good for 5 years. A renewal fee would then cost $25. The person registering the gun would need to provide name and address, along with the weapon’s serial number, place it was purchased and the date of purchase. The registry would be in addition to the firearm ownership standards all gun owners must already meet. Gun owners and dealers would need to get in touch with the Illinois State Police if a gun changes hands or is lost or stolen. The proposal would also make it a felony for anyone caught with an unregistered handgun.
Bost says Emanuel's plan is Chicago trying to tell the rest of the state what to do. The Murphysboro Republican says it's not the guns that is the issues; its the crimes that is the issue. Emanuel says 56% of the guns recovered at crime scenes in Chicago come from outside of the city limits, but within the state.
