The Latest: Prospect of gun-bill veto override wanes
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Latest on a possible gun dealer-licensing veto override vote in the General Assembly (all times local):
3:05 p.m.
The prospect of a veto override of gun-dealer licensing legislation is waning as neither Senate nor House wants to take the first step.
A vote to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto must start in the Senate and today is the deadline. Democratic Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park says he has enough votes to succeed. But he promised some senators who gave him commitments not to call a vote until he was sure the House would follow suit.
Democratic Rep. Kathleen Willis of Addison is counting noses in the House. But she says three key votes belong to members who are waiting to see what senators from their districts do.
Hundreds of gun-rights advocates are swarming the Capitol today for their annual lobby day.
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The bill is SB1657 .
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1:10 p.m.
The Senate sponsor of a measure requiring state licensing of gun dealers says he won't call for a veto override vote unless he's sure it will succeed in the House too.
Democratic Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park said Wednesday he has the 36 votes needed to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of the plan. It would require firearms shops to pay $1,000 for five-year licenses and train employees to spot illegal gun purchasers.
But Harmon says he's promised some of his colleagues not to force them to vote to override unless he can assure them the House would reverse the veto too. The House sponsor says she's short.
Harmon acknowledged a "chicken and egg" situation because House members are reluctant to commit until they know the Senate will act.
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The bill is SB1657 .
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11:15 a.m.
The sponsor of legislation to require state licensing of firearms dealers says she doesn't yet have enough votes in the House to override a gubernatorial veto.
Democratic Rep. Kathleen Willis of Addison did not specify Wednesday how close she is to having 71 votes to sustain an override.
Override must start in the Senate and Wednesday is the deadline. But Oak Park Democratic Sen. Don Harmon has been waiting to call a vote until he's sure there are sufficient House votes too.
Willis says some House members are waiting to see if the Senate takes action. If a Senate veto succeeds, the House would have until May 9 to follow.
The measure would require five-year gun-shop licenses, employee training and in-store videotaping. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed it as "burdensome regulation."
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The bill is SB1657 .
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4:45 a.m.
Illinois Democrats hoping to clamp down on gun violence face the clock, an uncertain roll call and thousands of gun-rights advocates.
Wednesday is the deadline to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of legislation requiring state licensing of firearms dealers .
Democratic Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park ditched a Tuesday night vote and suggested he first wanted to ensure there were enough House votes to override too.
The measure would require five-year gun-shop licenses, employee training and in-store videotaping. Rauner vetoed it as "burdensome regulation."
Complicating an override Wednesday is the annual Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day . The Illinois State Rifle Association's Richard Pearson suspects the gun restrictions lawmakers are considering will boost lobby-day attendance this year.
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Online:
The bill is SB1657.