Illinois lawmakers will take up carrying concealed firearms with a wide open debate on the House floor Tuesday.
House Speaker Mike Madigan has scheduled a hearing to allow legislators to submit amendments covering different topics involving the issue. A federal appeals court dismissed the Illinois ban in December and ordered a law be approved by early June.
So far two gun bills have been filed in the past two weeks. The latest is by Speaker Madigan who is a Democrat from Chicago-a city hit hard by gun violence that largely favors stricter gun control more than communities in the rest of the state. It includes limitations on the ammunition capacity of gun magazines.
The other bill is sponsored by southern Illinois democrat Brandon Phelps of Harrisburg. It would direct the State Police to oversee issuing concealed carry permits. It would also restrict where firearms could be legally carried concealed… including schools, churches, parks, and sporting events.
Political scientist Kent Redfield of the University of Illinois at Springfield says Tuesday’s hearing will allow lawmakers to support or oppose certain gun provisions even if they don't agree with the final legislation.
The bills are HB-1155 and HB-997.
