SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House on Wednesday resoundingly defeated a measure that would have required police officers to report more details about cases when they use stun guns.
The vote took place as more than 1,000 gun rights activists marched on the Capitol to push for legislation to allow Illinois residents to carry concealed weapons and to protest Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to register handguns.
State Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago, pleaded with colleagues to approve the broader reporting of stun gun use by law enforcement throughout Illinois, but opponents argued the measure would overburden local police.
The bill was shot down handily 76-41. The defeat occurred the same day the Lake County coroner determined a stun gun shock was partially responsible for a 45-year-old man's November death following a conflict with North Chicago police.
Davis said the bill was needed following Tribune disclosures of drastically expanded use of the weapons.
In Chicago alone, police logged 853 uses of stun guns in 2011 — a fivefold increase over 2008, according to figures compiled by the city's Independent Police Review Authority.
Davis wanted reports to say whether the stun gun was used on people who were armed, intoxicated or aggressive. She also wanted to know the race of people who had been shocked with a stun gun.
Outside the chambers, gun enthusiasts rallied in front of the Statehouse statute of Abraham Lincoln and called for the House to pass a concealed carry bill that a committee approved this week.
"We will be victorious," bellowed Rep. John Bradley, a Marion Democrat, who ignited robust cheers.
The vote took place as more than 1,000 gun rights activists marched on the Capitol to push for legislation to allow Illinois residents to carry concealed weapons and to protest Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to register handguns.
State Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago, pleaded with colleagues to approve the broader reporting of stun gun use by law enforcement throughout Illinois, but opponents argued the measure would overburden local police.
The bill was shot down handily 76-41. The defeat occurred the same day the Lake County coroner determined a stun gun shock was partially responsible for a 45-year-old man's November death following a conflict with North Chicago police.
Davis said the bill was needed following Tribune disclosures of drastically expanded use of the weapons.
In Chicago alone, police logged 853 uses of stun guns in 2011 — a fivefold increase over 2008, according to figures compiled by the city's Independent Police Review Authority.
Davis wanted reports to say whether the stun gun was used on people who were armed, intoxicated or aggressive. She also wanted to know the race of people who had been shocked with a stun gun.
Outside the chambers, gun enthusiasts rallied in front of the Statehouse statute of Abraham Lincoln and called for the House to pass a concealed carry bill that a committee approved this week.
"We will be victorious," bellowed Rep. John Bradley, a Marion Democrat, who ignited robust cheers.