Associated Press
CHICAGO - Mayor Richard Daley and other elected officials renewed their call for stricter gun laws Wednesday, saying Democratic control of the General Assembly could lead to passage of legislation that has foundered in the past.
One measure would ban assault weapons, while another would limit handgun purchases to one a month and a third would require licensing for handgun dealers.
Daley is calling the measures "commonsense" gun legislation. He said firearms were used in 80 percent of the homicides committed in Chicago last year.
Chicago police confiscated 12,235 guns in 2006, authorities said.
"Every time we seize an illegal gun, we reduce the probability that someone will be killed, injured or unfortunately robbed at gunpoint," Daley said.
State Rep. Edward Acevedo pledged his continued support for the assault weapons ban, which would include .50-caliber rifles.
"These weapons are made for war. These weapons do not belong on the street," the Chicago Democrat said. "These weapons were made for mass destruction."
State Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said the recent Democratic takeover of the General Assembly will mean change.
"There's been a change in attitudes down in Springfield, which is very positive," Cullerton said. "The NRA in the past has kind of owned the place. Now there's a crack in their armor."
Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said the state already has some of the toughest gun laws in the country and passing more laws will not deter criminals from obtaining firearms.
"No one wants criminals to have firearms," Pearson said. "And when you ban them, you just make it profitable for them to obtain weapons."
Pearson acknowledged, however, that Democratic control of both the state House and Senate could result in passage of some gun control measures.
"The gun lobby is going to have to work a lot harder," he said.
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