IL Senate Committee Approves Gun, Magazine Restrictions

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An Illinois Senate committee has approved restrictions on semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.  The bills are now on their way to the full Senate. One measure bans the sale of semiautomatic handguns and rifles. People who already own such weapons can keep them, but they will have to register them. The second proposal would limit ammunition magazines to 10 or fewer rounds.

Bill sponsor Senator Dan Katowski says he wants to focus on high capacity magazines because they make assault weapons more lethal. National Rifle Association lobbyist Todd Vandermyde says the bills treat law-abiding gun owners like criminals.  Katowski counters, saying gun owners should have nothing to worry about.