Gun transport plan clears House committee

SPRINGFIELD - A Cook County prosecutor urged lawmakers Wednesday to more clearly define state law regarding the transporting of firearms.

Assistant State's Attorney Alan Spellberg spoke on behalf of a proposal sparked by a 2009 state Supreme Court case. The ruling in the case expanded the definition for containers in which unloaded guns could lawfully be transported to include center consoles in cars.

But Spellberg said the Illinois Supreme Court determined that the word "case" was so broad that it would cover any receptacle, portable or not.

"That definition will include something as simple as a paper bag," Spellberg said.

State Rep. Harry Osterman, a Chicago Democrat, sponsored the proposal to more narrowly define acceptable containers. He also sponsored legislation to ban the sale, manufacture and possession of semiautomatic weapons, and he previously endorsed legislation that qualified unlawful possession of a loaded weapon as a felony offense.

Wednesday's discussion of stricter definitions for gun containers occurred as the Illinois State Rifle Association hosted "Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day" at the Capitol, an event that attracted gun owners from throughout the state.

Republican state Reps. Michael Tryon of Crystal Lake and Ed Sullivan Jr. of Mundelein both questioned how well Osterman's new proposal defined the word "case."

Tryon also expressed concern for the legislation's effects on Illinois gun manufacturers' transports. Osterman agreed to present information on its potential impact before the legislation is voted on in the full House.