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Health & Fitness

Kotowski joins Newtown families in pushing to protect public from gun violence

Families of children who lost their lives in the Newtown school shooting came to the Illinois State Senate on Monday urging a statewide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines.

SPRINGFIELD – Families of children who lost their lives in the Newtown school shooting came to the Illinois State Senate on Monday urging a statewide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Working together with the families and Sandy Hook Promise, Illinois State Senator Dan Kotowski (D–Park Ridge) passed legislation banning the sale of magazines that contain more than 10 rounds. The proposal also punishes violators with a maximum of three years in prison.

“I’m proud to introduce this legislation in honor of all victims of gun violence especially those children and teachers who suffered that tragic day at Newtown,” Kotowski said. “This bill will limit the horrific damage caused by weapons with high capacity ammunition magazines and increase punishment for people who use of these lethal magazines in acts of crime or violence.”

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On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza killed 27 people, including children and teachers, by firing 154 bullets in less than five minutes. The use of high capacity ammunition magazines were instrumental in the irreparable damage caused that day.

In a Senate discussion on Monday, Mark Barden, father of Daniel Barden, and Nicole Hockley, mother of Dylan Hockley, spoke about how banning high-capacity ammunition magazines could have saved the lives of their children at Sandy Hook. Lanza used a magazine which held 30 rounds.  Because Lanza had to stop and reload in Dylan’s class, 11 children were able to escape.   

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“We’ve witnessed over the years that firearms are becoming more and more dangerous,” Kotowski continued. “By making these weapons are less lethal we can save lives.”

This proposal, Senate Bill 1002, now advances to the full Senate.

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