© 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Assault weapons ban could be coming to Illinois

(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

Updated 12:31 p.m. with use of amendatory veto.

Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a statewide ban on assault weapons.

The Democrat used his amendatory veto power today to include the ban in a bill related to ammunition sales. It's now up to lawmakers to accept his changes or reject them.

In a letter to members of the General Assembly, Quinn says the ban will make Illinois a safer place to live.

The proposal also calls for a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. It was first reported by The Associated Press.

Quinn's proposal faces hurdles in Illinois, even after the massacre at a Colorado movie theater renewed national debate about assault weapons.

The bill's original sponsor is Republican state Sen. David Luechtefeld. He accuses Quinn of playing politics. His bill would have allowed Illinois residents to have ammunition purchased in-state shipped to them.

Follow St. Louis Public Radio on Twitter: @stlpublicradio