Opposition mounts against Illinois mandatory minimum gun bill

The city of Chicago regularly leads the country in illegal arms seized by its police department. Some Illinois politicians, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, believe that increasing sentences for illegal gun ownership may help resolve the issue. On Tuesday, the Illinois legislature heard the arguments for SB 1342 (also put forward as HB 2265) that would implement mandatory minimum prison sentences for anyone convicted of a weapons-related offense. The controversial measure is receiving criticism from both conservatives and liberals as gun owners and prisoners' rights activists question whether or not the measure will successfully reduce gun crime in the state.

The following is an explanation of the bill from U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who gave the mandatory minimum measure his approval: