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Posted on 04/19/2005 11:10:40 AM PDT by freepatriot32
SPRINGFIELD - Senate Democrats on the Executive Committee hastily approved four gun-control measures Wednesday amid partisan rancor. Another Senate panel already had rejected much of the legislation, and some Republican senators repeatedly expressed disapproval at the work-around tactic.
Senate Bills 1330, 1331 and 1332 were approved Wednesday even though the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected identical legislation earlier this session.
Two of the Judiciary Committee's six Democrats are from downstate - Sens. James Clayborne of Belleville and Bill Haine of Alton - and both tend to vote against gun-control legislation. On the other hand, seven of the Executive Committee's eight Democrats represent Chicago, and they had no trouble approving the proposals.
Each bill passed by a vote of 7-6. Sen. George Shadid, D-Peoria, was the only lawmaker to cross party lines, joining the Republicans in voting no. He said during the debate that lawmakers should enact changes to the state's firearm owner's identification card before considering more regulations on guns.
Senate Bill 1332 was the only one of the four gun proposals that had not been previously rejected by the Judiciary Committee. It would mandate that dealers of "concealable firearms" - handguns - be licensed by the state. Violations would be a Class 4 felony, but the legislation would not apply to individual hobbyists buying and selling from their own collections.
Sponsoring Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, took 30 seconds to present his legislation before committee chairman Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, ordered a vote.
When it was his turn, Sen. Bradley Burzynski, R-Claire, said, "I'm very hopeful that - should this bill be called for a final vote on the Senate floor - that we don't have a timer that's on, that we don't restrict debate."
Burzynski voted no.
After the vote, Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, said he was just following the same procedures Republicans did when they controlled the Senate. He said the legislation will be debated on the Senate floor.
Under SB1332, gun buyers would be limited to purchasing one handgun each 30 days. The legislation is intended to curb the practice of "straw purchasers," where a legally qualified individual buys a gun for someone who is not qualified to make the purchase on his own.
SB1331 would expand the definition of a "public nuisance" to include gun dealers who do not take "reasonable precautions" to ensure that purchasers do not use their weapons illegally.
SB1330 would permit victims of gun crimes to sue anyone who "intentionally or negligently" delivered the gun, ammunition or silencer to an unauthorized buyer, straw purchaser or individual with criminal intent.
Those two bills are responses to last year's unanimous ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court that dismissed two lawsuits filed by the city of Chicago against gun manufacturers.
Todd Vandermyde, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, accused the city of driving gun-manufacturing jobs out of the state.
Citing the decision, he said, "They want to change the law, which is similar to the public nuisance theory that they're advancing, so that they can have a second bite at the apple."
Vandermyde added that no U.S. attorney's office has ever charged a gun manufacturer or distributor with a crime and that half the dealers the federal government has taken to court were acquitted. He said Illinois gun manufacturers were crucial suppliers to law enforcement and the military.
"So here we have people engaged in lawful commerce - selling a lawful product through a lawful chain - who are now going to be dragged into court on all kinds of allegations that have never been proven," Vandermyde said.
John Dunn, a lobbyist for the city of Chicago, said the legislation would not create any liability for selling to the federal government or law enforcement.
"You sell a gun to a criminal - you're liable. That's what the bill's about," he said.
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I love this - does the measure define what these "reasonable precautions" might be? Because if it is left to the courts to decide this as usual, then what we have here is an open invitation for nuisance lawsuits over an undefined requirement. This is legal harrassment, nothing more.
Time to send some envoys to Springfield to invite them to a more friendly state. These laws smell of Kalifornia. The one handgun every 30 days in particular. The product liability BS against retailers and manufacturers has been repeatedly tossed out of court.
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house for sale
I don't think so, but even then it wouldn't help. These type of gun control laws are "strawman laws". Since the legislators lack the political courage to simply declare handguns banned, they pass laws that drive out lawful retail gun dealers. If there are no gun dealers in IL, then guns will be, de facto, banned.
The Bill of Rights will still be printed with the Second Amendment included with the other ten amendments, but you won't have an arm to keep or bear. That's the strategy.
Propose the same for car dealers and pharmacies and enjoy the liberal hypocritical squirming.
SB1331 would expand the definition of a "public nuisance" to include gun dealers who do not take "reasonable precautions" to ensure that purchasers do not use their weapons illegally.
Would rather is said
SB1331 would expand the definition of a "public nuisance" to include Politicians who do not take their oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States seriously.
Large billboards should be placed at the border roads of the state of Illinois reading, "Disarmed for your convenience".
2 houses for sale!
UNBELIEVABLE....but then....not really! What can we do about this? He creates new laws and issues Executive orders on a WEEKLY basis!
VERY FEW know about the mental health law here in Illinois and some who know....don't have a clue as to the SLIPPERY SLOPE this will create as well.
Then there's the law preventing any business from discriminating against hiring gays, including churches!
Oh let's see what else?
Where are those representatives, who are SUPPOSE to be representing us?
Wish I had a *SHOCKED* emoticon! lol
Did you get my mail?
Not necessary. I think the people in Indiana and here in Missouri, at least, can already see the signs. ;-)
When it was his turn, Sen. Bradley Burzynski, R-Claire, said,
"I'm very hopeful that - should this bill be called for a final vote on the Senate floor - that we don't have a timer that's on, that we don't restrict debate."
ROFLMAO. I love it when Rats are caught in their own party's lies.
I believe that Illinois is one of the top 5 most liberal states in the union. Uber liberal Senators, overwhelmingly for Gore and Kerry, far Left governor....Republicans need to just cede this state over to Left and start pouring resources into Minnesota and Midwest states worth a damn.
They passed out of committee last Wednesday, I believe they failed on the full floor on Friday. They did pass a gun show loophole bill but they Republicans got an amendment to say no city other than Chicago can have more restrictive laws than the State of Illinois.
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