Feb 19, 2008 6:00 pm US/Central
Mayor Daley Demands 'Common Sense' Gun Legislation
Daley Says Measures Protect Gun Owners' Rights, But Ensure Safety Of Those At Risk
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CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The NIU tragedy has renewed the gun control debate -- some lawmakers are pushing for tougher laws while gun rights advocates say more rules are not the answer.
Mayor Richard M. Daley on Tuesday said he wants to introduce "common sense" procedures to reduce gun violence. He said the city will support the proposals, both in Springfield and in Washington, D.C.
"The tragic deaths at Northern Illinois last week again are a fresh reminder," Daley said, of the need for tougher gun laws.
The proposals come on the heels of the NIU shootings that claimed the lives of five people and gunman Steven Kazmierczak. It also follows the Lane Bryant shootings in Tinley Park that killed five women. Combined, it has made for a high Illinois death toll for February.
"None of the bills proposed would have stopped the violence at NIU or any other place," said Richard Pearson of the Illinois Rifle Association.
Pearson says what happened at NIU would be prevented by the new law taking effect June 1, which would have prevented Steven Kazmierczak from legally obtaining weapons due to his mental health issues.
That is why the mayor is pushing tougher regional gun laws that will respect the rights of gun owners. But he said there is also a responsibility to respect the average person, especially young people, who are disproportionately affected by gun violence, he said.
In Chicago alone, 75 percent of all homicides involve guns, prompting the mayor to question whether people are becoming immune to the problem.
"When will our nation learn there are common sense laws would protect everyone in the nation especially young people, from gun violence? That is why I'm announcing gun legislation that I will present in 2008," Daley said. "I know that many people may not appreciate these proposals, especially the gangbangers and dope dealers, and the thugs who terrorize our communities throughout the state of Illinois."
Many gun owners, in e-mails to CBS 2, have complained about gun control advocates using NIU as an excuse for tougher gun laws.
But the mayor has some bigtime support, including police Supt. Jody Weis and a number of state legislators, who all stood alongside him as he announced the gun control plan at Chicago Police Headquarters, at 3510 S. Michigan Ave.
State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) says the tragedy at NIU can be used as an argument for tougher gun control laws in Illinois.
"If we pass a law that limits high-capacity ammunition magazines to 10 rounds or less, you don't have somebody with a 30-round clip. You may have somebody in a situation like that, but then you don't have as many dead students, or injured students," Kotowski said.
The proposed legislation calls for universal background checks, closing the private sale loophole. It also calls for handgun dealer licensing, an assault weapons ban, state licensing of all gun dealers and trigger lock-type mandates to protect minors.
"Taken together I believe these laws will reduce gun violence in Illinois and throughout the nation," Daley said.
Gun owners argue that it's not what's out there, but who has it, and who doesn't.
"If you had concealed carry laws, someone may have been able to stop this person, maybe not after the first stop, but soon after," Pearson said.
Concealed carry means carefully screened and well-trained gun owners could carry concealed weapons for protection. Gun control advocates say that make the streets even more dangerous.
CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman and Jay Levine contributed to this report.
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