Concealed-carry sponsor skeptical of deal with Senate

SPRINGFIELD, — The top gun-rights advocate in the Illinois House is skeptical that Senate Democrats will return with an agreeable compromise on the carrying of concealed weapons.

Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Harrisburg Democrat and sponsor of a concealed-carry measure that passed the House, says he doubts Senate legislation that allows local communities to keep firearms regulations will get House approval.

Senate Democrats rebuffed the Phelps measure in a committee Tuesday and advanced their own plan. Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul’s bill allows cities to retain gun regulations such as Chicago’s assault-weapons ban.

Spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon says Senate President John Cullerton called House and Senate members together Wednesday morning and pledged an effort to find “core compromises.”