The Illinois House Friday approved legislation that would let Illinoisans carry concealed firearms.
It passed on a vote of 85 to 30 after more than two hours of debate.
The measure is being touted as a compromise by its sponsor Harrisburg Democratic Brandon Phelps. Phelps says after years of debating this issue, it is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to come to a middle ground on this issue. Phelps says every lawmaker has a different opinion when it comes to concealed-carry policy.
In order to appeal to lawmakers who favor tighter gun-control, the measure would prohibit carrying weapons in places like schools, sports arenas, bars, and on public transportation. But the legislation would also wipe away local gun ordinances -- like Cook County's ban on assault weapons and its new 25-dollar sales tax on guns. Spokeswomen for both Governor Pat Quinn and Senate President John Cullerton say they oppose the legislation. They call it an "overreach" that was written for the N-R-A.
A federal court says Illinois has until June 9th to pass some sort of law allowing people to carry guns in public.
Southern Illinois State Representative Jerry Costello says he now urges his colleagues in the Senate and the Governor to listen to their constituents and pass the concealed carry law. Governor Quinn says the legislation is wrong for Illinois and vows to fight it in the Senate. Quinn says the state needs strong gun safety laws that protect people. Quinn is referring to provision in the House bill that would do away with home-rule created municipal gun laws, such as the assault weapons ban in Chicago, in favor of a state-wide universal gun policy.
The legislation isSB-2193.
