Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn calls for assault weapons ban, allowing same-sex marriage
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn is renewing his call for an assault weapons ban in Illinois.
The Chicago Democrat promoted the idea during his annual State of the State address on Wednesday. He asked lawmakers to move forward with strong public safety legislation. He says Illinois must prohibit the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Quinn says assault weapons don't belong in everyday public places like schools, shopping malls or sports stadiums.
He says lawmakers should also pass legislation requiring every Illinois school to practice active safety drills.
Quinn has pushed for an assault weapons ban since a deadly shooting at a Colorado movie theater last summer. He used his power of amendatory veto to rewrite a bill to ban assault weapons. Lawmakers rejected it.
Quinn also said it's time for Illinois to allow same-sex marriage. He praised senators who moved a bill out of the committee earlier this week and said it's time to pass the bill so Illinois can achieve "full equality."
The bill's sponsors expect a Senate floor vote on Valentine's Day. If Illinois approves same-sex marriage, it would become the 10th state in the nation to do so.