Illinois lawmakers propose dozens of bills aimed at gun laws

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers have proposed dozens of bills to tweak the state's gun laws.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises reports that (http://bit.ly/1vKCBQL ) the proposals include allowing hunters to use silencers, allowing retired prison guards to carry weapons and banning the use of 3-D printers to make firearms.

Democratic state Rep. Brandon Phelps has introduced four different changes to state gun laws, including allowing silencers on firearms used during hunting. That proposal has drawn opposition from some fellow lawmakers.

State Sen. Dan Kotowski says he fears silencers will end up in the hands of criminals. But Phelps says hunters need to be able to hear their surroundings. He says anyone who used a silencer would be required to have a firearm owners' identification card and a federal background check.