SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 24 (UPI) — The Illinois House Friday approved a concealed weapons bill that would override Chicago’s assault weapons ban.
The measure, backed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, was approved 85-30 over the objections of Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. It now heads to the Illinois Senate, where it has been denounced by Senate President John Cullerton, the Chicago Tribune said.
The measure removes home-rule powers and would wipe out local firearms laws, including Chicago’s assault weapons ban.
Quinn has vowed to block passage in the Senate. “This legislation is wrong for Illinois,” he said in a statement.
“The principle of home rule is an important one. As written, this legislation is a massive overreach that would repeal critical gun safety ordinances in Chicago, Cook County, and across Illinois. We need strong gun safety laws that protect the people of our state. Instead, this measure puts public safety at risk. I will not support this bill and I will work with members of the Illinois Senate to stop it in its tracks.”
Illinois is the only state in the nation that doesn’t allow residents to carry guns in public, the Tribune said.
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