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Gun control legislation fails in the Illinois House
By The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 7:03 PM
Legislation to restrict firearm sales at gun shows failed by one vote in the Illinois House on Tuesday, despite the backing of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.
But the sponsor, Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago, kept the bill alive for another vote and predicted he would have enough votes later in the week.
The bill would require sales at gun shows to be done through licensed firearms dealers who can check a buyer's background.
Right now, unlicensed dealers at gun shows can sell a weapon to anyone with a Firearm Owner's Identification Card. No background check is required.
Osterman called it a loophole that needs to be closed.
"This is commonsense, reasonable legislation," he said.
But the bill failed 59-55, one vote short of the 60 needed for passage.
"The laws we have in place would take care of these problems if we enforced them. There is no need to create new laws," said Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville.
The measure mirrors a Senate bill backed by Daley that the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected last month. That Senate committee also rejected several other Daley gun control bills.
Osterman's bill and another gun control bill were quickly pushed through a House committee after the Senate defeat. Gun control advocates had pinned their hopes on the House passing the measures.
Osterman said he is optimistic he can get 60 votes the second time around.
"I'm surprised some of the suburban representatives chose not to do this," Osterman said. He accused the National Rifle Association of using "scare tactics" on lawmakers.
Lawmakers have gotten e-mails and telephone messages calling them un-American and saying they would not be re-elected if they support the bill, Osterman said.
Todd Vandermyde, a NRA lobbyist said the group only gave representatives logical arguments against the bill.
"It sounds more like you have a very bitter person who lost a bill today trying to find excuses," Vandermyde said.
Rep. Terry Parke, who initially backed the bill but ended up voting against it, said he had not been bothered by the NRA. The Hoffman Estates Republican said he changed his vote because he decided the bill was too broad.
"Anybody that had a gun and wanted to sell it would have to go to a gun dealer," Parke said. "I thought people downstate would think this was too intrusive."
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)