Gov. Quinn Revives Call For Gun Control Legislation

Jim Anderson -- Illinois Radio Network

Gov. Pat Quinn is making another push on gun legislation, including an assault weapons ban.

The governor made an appearance Sunday on behalf of the Illinois Public Safety Act, which was introduced in the spring legislative session but not acted upon.

Part of the measure is a ban on assault weapons. “Part of fighting against the violence is to put a ban on assault weapons. Assault weapons have been used over and over again to kill people. We’ve gotta put an end to that,” Quinn said.

The bill also would ban high-capacity magazines, but anybody who legally owns these weapons could keep them, or transfer them to a family member.

Though assault weapons and high-capacity magazines are used in relatively few crimes, they result in more people being shot and more people being killed: The governor cited data compiled by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which found that from 2009 through 2012, incidents where assault weapons or large capacity ammunition magazines were used resulted in 135 percent more people shot and 57 percent more people killed, compared to other shooting incidents with multiple victims.

A federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004. States that currently ban assault weapons are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. They are restricted in Minnesota and Virginia.

The bill also would require background checks for all gun sales or transfers, except at gun shows or to family members.

S.B. 3659, sponsored by State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), was introduced in May and assigned to a committee.