Illinois Senate Targets 'High-Capacity' Gun Magazines -- 05/11/2007
The Illinois Senate this week passed a bill banning the future sale and possession of gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition.
A gun control group said the measure would "protect law enforcement officers and strengthen the community." But defenders of the Second Amendment called the bill "frivolous" and pointless.
On a bipartisan vote of 31-26, the Senate sent the bill (SB1007) to the Illinois House. The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence is now urging the House to pass it.
"This is a significant step in our efforts to reduce the lethality of firearms sold in Illinois and reduce the risk that weapons that can accept high-capacity ammunition magazines pose to Illinois communities," said Thomas Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.
Mannard noted that such magazines were used at the Columbine High School and Virginia Tech massacres: "There is no question that high-capacity magazines were a major reason why so many innocent people were killed and wounded in these incidents."
But a Second Amendment group said even if Illinois does ban magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition, they can still be purchased in every state adjacent to Illinois.
Therefore, the bill (SB1007) is ""a perfect waste of the legislature's time," said Richard Pearson, chairman of the Illinois State Rifle Association political action committee.
Pearson singled out Illinois State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) as its "gun grabber of the year" for his "arrogant disregard for our outdoor traditions and his deep-seated hatred of gun owners."
Kotowski is working harder than any other Illinois senator to take gun-owners rights away, Pearson said.
