New Gun Control Bill To Honor Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer

CHICAGO, IL — A new bill that honors Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer will be introduced Tuesday in Springfield. The legislation would ban the sales of body armor and high-capacity ammunition magazines to anyone except police officers, licensed security guards and members of the military. The new bill would also require Illinois gun dealers to be licensed.

Bauer was shot and killed Feb. 13 while chasing a man who was wearing body armor and had an extended magazine in his handgun.

The proposal was first introduced to the General Assembly last year, but has been amended and renamed the Paul Bauer Act. Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson and other CPD command staff are set to testify in support of the new bill Tuesday.

"I think it's important that we continue his legacy. And naming this bill after him as well as the new training academy will be some things we can do to keep Paul's legacy alive," Johnson said.

Many across the United States have said such proposed bans violate the Second Amendment, but Johnson disagrees.

“I am all for Americans who have legal rights to own firearms only, but you can not convince me that high-capacity magazines are needed in the city," said Johnson. "As a legal gun owner, you can't convince me you need an AR-15 in the streets of Chicago, you just won’t convince me of those things."

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is also encouraging people to contact their lawmakers and push for change.

“I think there’s been a sea of change, not just in Illinois, but across the country," said Emanuel. "We have to make sure we don’t allow this to pass, but take this opportunity to do something significant that’s been pushed for a while."

If approved in the House Judiciary Committee, the measures could get a full House vote as early as Wednesday. The committee was also scheduled to review other gun control measures this week, including a ban on bump stocks and assault weapons.

Read also:

• Armed Teachers: IL District Wants To Be 1st To Give Teachers Guns

More Patch Coverage on Cmdr. Paul Bauer:

The Shooting

• Chicago Police Commander Gunned Down At Thompson Center (VIDEO)
• 4-Time Felon Charged With Murder (VIDEO)
• No Bail For Career Criminal Accused In Bauer's Fatal Shooting

Bauer's Career

• Cmdr. Paul Bauer: Learn How Slain Cop Spent 31-Year CPD Career
• Fallen Commander Worked In District 22 In Mid-1990s

The Funeral

• Wake, Funeral Set For Cmdr. Paul Bauer
• Community Will Line 111th St. For Fallent Cop's Funeral Procession

The Aftermath

• Blue Ribbons And Flags Honor Bauer
• 'Chicago PD' Filming Near Slain Cop's Murder Scene Angers Some
• Cook County Jail Inmates Clap For Accused Killer (VIDEO)

Photo via Chicago Police Department