Madigan Schedules Hearings On Illinois Gun Legislation

Two public hearings were scheduled to allow the public to speak out about gun safety laws in Illinois and the recent concealed carry ruling, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan announced.

“In light of events in recent months in Illinois and in other parts of the country, it’s appropriate and necessary that we give a full vetting to proposed state legislation on this matter,” Madigan said in a statement.

He said the hearings will provide an opportunity for gun safety advocates, gun rights supporters and police "to offer their views and argue their cases to legislators and the people of Illinois.”

The hearing comes after a federal appeals court struck down Illinois’ concealed-carry law in December. He noted the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings took place three days after the ruling.

Madigan said the Illinois law needs to be reviewed "with an eye toward either making gun ownership and possession less cumbersome on law-abiding citizens or toughening firearm restrictions to better limit gun violence."

The House Judiciary Committee hearings take place at noon Feb. 19 in Room 114 of the State Capitol in Springfield and 10 a.m. Feb. 22 in the sixth floor committee room of the Michael A. Bilandic Building in Chicago.

Official state identification is required, and attendees must pass through strict security measures, Madigan said.
 

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