By Robert Becker
Tribune Staff Writer
February 01, 2000
Illinois Senate Democrats, thwarted in their efforts to make unlawful use of a weapon a felony again, on Monday unveiled a package of gun-control bills–from limiting handgun purchases to requiring safety training for owners to creating civil liability for injuries caused by guns sold illegally.

Senate Democratic Leader Emil Jones said in a Chicago news conference that although his party colleagues still want the felony firearm provisions of the Safe Neighborhoods Act back on the books, the measures proposed on Monday “will put some teeth into existing laws.”

“We feel (the bills) are very important to our communities,” Jones, of Chicago, said.

Jones and the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus acknowledged that the measures will face a tough time in the Senate, where President James “Pate” Philip (R-Wood Dale) orchestrated the defeat of the felony provision.

But the caucus expressed the belief that the fallout over the issue will aid their cause.

“(Philip’s) starting to see within his own caucus a change in attitude,” said Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago). “There’s nothing like doing a poll of your own Senate district and seeing 7-1, 8-1 people are in favor of certain gun control legislation.”

A spokeswoman for Philip said his office will review the proposals.

Todd Vandermyde, a legislative liaison with the National Rifle Association in Illinois, raised questions about the proposals Monday, saying, “They want to regulate, ration and tax an individual’s right to own a firearm.”

The Democrats’ package of bills, which will be introduced in spring, includes: limiting handgun purchases to one per month; increasing penalties for using a gun in a place of worship; requiring gun safety training before a state firearm ID card can be issued; increasing penalties for facilitating or encouraging illegal gun sales; and creating civil liability for injuries caused by guns sold illegally.