SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois House committee has approved legislation requiring registration of handguns and creating a new tax on ammunition. Both bills passed 7-4 Wednesday and now go to the House floor. Lobbyist Todd Vandermyde of the National Rifle Association opposes both measures. He says requiring handgun registration would cost money for law-abiding citizens without affecting people who have guns illegally. But Democratic Rep. Will Davis of Homewood says registration would help police track guns that were purchased legally but later sold and used in a crime.
Vandermyde also argued it would be unconstitutional to tax ammunition. The sponsor disagreed, however. Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago says a 2 percent tax would raise money for trauma centers in high-crime areas. full story
