Stricter Gun Laws In Illinois?
By: Nichole Berlie
Updated: July 10, 2007
Stricter gun laws may be on the way for Illinois.
Governor Rod Blagojevich has called a special session to consider passing a ban on high-capacity ammunition clips.
The legislation is aimed at stopping gun violence across the state, but especially in large cities like Chicago...and that has law-makers from some of Ilinois less populated towns crying foul.
Wabash County Commissioner Craig Racster says Senate Bill 1007 would have a negative effect on small Illinois communities, "We in Southern Illinois are hunters, fishermen, outdoors people. We feel like its a step in the wrong direction for us. Were just here to protect the second amendment rights which have already been established many years ago."
The bill has already passed the senate, so by calling a special session, Governor Blagojevich hopes to push the legislation through the house...and into law.
Commissioner Racster worries if the bill passes, it could evenutally mean even stricter gun control laws in the future, "Were not against the legislation as it stands - against automatic weapons and things, were afraid it might filter down to other areas and might affect our everyday lives."
Many Illinois counties have sent letters voicing their opposition to the ban.
If the law passes, Illinois will join six other states that ban high-capacity ammunition clips.
