We’ve seen a number of reports indicating that Mayor Bloomberg/Emanuel’s Draconian 3-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for carrying a gun is dead on arrival in its current form.
Even the bill’s sponsor is now acknowledging that changes – major changes – will have to occur before it has a prayer of passage.
SPRINGFIELD (Chicago Tribune) – Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to impose mandatory minimum sentences for illegal gun possession was pulled from a House panel’s agenda Tuesday for further negotiations after it faced almost certain rejection from state lawmakers.
Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, made the decision to yank the measure from the House Judiciary Committee, saying progress was being made to allay fears of gun-rights advocates that law-abiding citizens who make a simple mistake could face mandatory prison time under the Democratic mayor’s plan.
“It’s a reasonable and honest concern,” Zalewski said. “We’re doing our best to address that.”
The measure pushed by Emanuel calls for a mandatory three-year prison sentence for certain violations of the unlawful use of a weapon statute. Supporters say the measure is aimed at felons, gang members and people in possession of weapons without a valid firearm owner permit.
“We’re giving an added assurance in the law that no mistake will be made when it comes to the law-abiding gun owner,” Zalewski said.
The details of a compromise were still being worked out, but Zalewski said his goal remained passing the bill during the fall session.
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