Illinois House rejects assault weapon banIllinois 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. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Chicago Democrat, 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 and would ban weapons used by hunters, target-shooters and collectors as well.
"I just don't think the state's ready for that," NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde said. He questioned why officials weren't devoting their time to more important issues such as creating jobs.
Rep. Edward Acevedo, a Chicago police officer, denied his legislation would have a broad impact. He said it contains specific exceptions that narrow it to weapons with more sinister uses. "I believe these weapons are made for mass destruction and war," said Acevedo, a Democrat.
He and the governor's office intend to continue pushing for a ban.
"This vote doesn't mean that it's over," said Blagojevich spokeswoman Cheryle Jackson.
The definitions of an assault weapon vary, but the term generally applies to semiautomatic rifles with detachable ammunition magazines and such features as folding stocks, pistol grips 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.
Acevedo said he thought he had commitments of support from several lawmakers who ended up not voting.
One surprise was a "present" vote by Rep. Lovana Jones, D-Chicago.
She said weapons have little to do with the problems of drugs and poor schools that plague her constituents. Echoing the comments of gun-control opponents, she questioned whether a ban would actually keep the weapons off the street.
"That's a wasted vote as far as I'm concerned because nothing's going to stop them from making them," Jones said, "and as long as they make them, people are going to buy them."
Assault weapons were banned by federal law until last year.
Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said if Acevedo were truly concerned with preventing crime he would improve enforcement of existing laws.
"You're not opposed to the criminal," Bost said. "You're opposed to the gun."
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/052405_ap_ns_assault_ban.html*FW Note:"You're not opposed to the criminal, you're opposed to the gun."...suddenly, a breeze called "Truth" wafts through...
:shock:
