Sponsoring Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Harrisburg Democrat, has accused Quinn of using the governor’s amendatory veto powers to tighten the restrictions as a move aimed at bolstering political support for re-election among city and suburban voters who support gun-control.
Quinn, trying to build grassroots support for his rewrite over the last few days, has alienated many lawmakers — including gun-control advocates who were part of the negotiations — by accusing the General Assembly of caving to the interests of the National Rifle Association.
The measure passed the General Assembly with 89 votes in the House and 45 votes in the Senate. A total of 71 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate are needed to override Quinn’s changes.
In what could be an effort to soften a large-scale repudiation of Quinn’s rewrite led by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly, a key Senate committee is expected to take up the governor’s changes in a separate bill. That measure, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Executive Committee prior to the override vote.
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