By Mike Flannery, FOX 32 News Political Editor - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a statewide ban on assault weapons.
The governor wants to prohibit these guns because he says they're an invitation to murder and disaster.
"That's complete bunk. The governor's an idiot. He doesn't understand what he's doing. He's trying to get five minutes of film time to make it look like he's doing something," Roger Krahl, owner, RGuns, said.
Krahl and nine employees make guns that Gov. Quinn calls Assault Weapons. In the wake of the mass murder carnage in Colorado, he would ban them.
In a letter to members of the General Assembly, Quinn says the ban will make Illinois a safer place to live.
"We have to do something. We cannot stand idly by. I think we should remember those who lost their lives and carry on with something that will make things better," Quinn said.
Strongly supporting the governor was suburban Orland Park's police chief, a former Secret Service agent who once took a bullet intended to kill President Ronald Reagan.
"It'll help reduce violence against our police. It'll help keep these type of guns out of gang members and out of the hands of cartel members," police chief Tim McCarthy said.
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.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
His bill would have allowed Illinois residents to have ammunition purchased in-state shipped to them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:08 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:08:32 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Human rights advocate Marianne Elliot wrote "Zen under Fire," a powerful memoir about her experience as a U.N. peacekeeper in war-torn Afghanistan. She also does yoga to de-stress in her everyday life.
Human rights advocate Marianne Elliot wrote "Zen under Fire," a powerful memoir about her experience as a U.N. peacekeeper in war-torn Afghanistan. She also does yoga to de-stress in her everyday life.
Monday, June 17 2013 3:09 PM EDT2013-06-17 19:09:21 GMT
On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
On the first day of deliberation, the jury hearing former Chicago alderman Ambrosio Medrano's trial found him guilty of bribery. He could face up to five years in prison.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:44 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:44:33 GMT
A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn says he has fully backed the tough pension proposal supported by the Illinois House and has "fought hard" to get it passed.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:03:54 GMT
Carla Oglesby is accused of using fake contracts to scam hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself and her friends, from local vendors. She was first arrested nearly three years ago.
Carla Oglesby is accused of using fake contracts to scam hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself and her friends, from local vendors. She was first arrested nearly three years ago.
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