Legislation pushed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel that would implement a statewide handgun registry was approved by a House committee on Wednesday and will soon be considered by the full House.

The bill was approved by the House Executive Committee by a party-line vote of 7-4, with all Democratic committee members supporting it. The cost would be $20, down from the originally proposed amount of $65.  Illinois gun owners must obtain Firearm Owner’s Identification Cards, but are not required to report the number and types of weapons they own. Under the bill, gun owners would have to report the handguns they own, where they were bought and other information.

Opponents of the measure say it’s just a way to annoy and tax law-abiding citizens around the state because of one city’s crime problems. 

State Representative Bill Mitchell calls it an outrage.

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