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Stricter gun measure fails in Illinois state senate
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec 29 (Reuters) - An Illinois gun control measure that
became a battleground between two of the state's leading Republicans failed
to win the necessary majority in the state senate for passage on Wednesday.
The measure, called the ``Safe Neighbourhoods Act,'' called for tough felony
charges for illegal possession of a handgun and was strongly backed by Gov.
George Ryan, a Republican who has campaigned on the issue of stricter gun
control.
The bill failed to garner the necessary 36 of 50 state senate votes in the
special session, falling five short of passage, and the senate adjourned. The
session was briefly interrupted by a power outage that prompted some senators
to suspect their votes might be manipulated.
Ryan lobbied hard for passage, but James ``Pate'' Philip, who leads the
Republican-majority state senate, maintained his hold on key members by
arguing that illegal gun possession should remain a misdemeanor since more
serious penalties might unfairly corral hunters and other gun owners.
Some legislators also balked because they said they felt bullied by the
governor to vote his way.
Originally passed in 1994, the bill was thrown out earlier this month by the
State Supreme Court because unrelated measures were tacked onto the bill, a
violation of state law.
The rhetorical battle between the leading Republicans led to charges of
hypocrisy from Philip, who charged that Ryan backed Republican presidential
candidate and Texas Gov. George Bush, who supports a Texas law allowing
residents to carry concealed weapons.
18:25 12-29-99[/quote}
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"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" RKBA!
