Politics & Government

Gun Lobbyists Talking to Chicago's Mayor About Prison Time and Gun Possession

But there's concern the governor could disrupt the lobbying as he heads toward another re-election campaign.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel desperately wants mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes. Gov. Pat Quinn wants a ban on high-capacity ammo magazines. But Quinn's pursuit of a ban could undo a lot of careful lobbying by the Emanuel administration to bring gun interests on board for mandatory minimum sentences.

That would be disastrous politically for Quinn, who only last week earned the support of Emanuel in the 2014 election.

"Mayor Emanuel's Statehouse lobbyists are engaged in serious talks with the NRA and even the more strident Illinois State Rifle Association (something that Daley would never do, and vice versa) to try and work out a compromise on legislation to force convicted gun possession violators to remain in prison for a lot longer than they already are," writes Capitol Fax publisher Rich Miller. "Emanuel himself is said to be actively involved by phone."

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The governor, if he pushes for a ban on high-capacity ammo magazines as part of his campaign, could kill the mayor's deal.

Read more Rich Miller on Reboot Illinois.

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