Cardinal Cupich urges action on guns
Archbishop of Chicago Blase J. Cupich receives congratulations from cardinals during the Ordinary Public Consistory celebrated by Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica on November 19, 2016 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The archbishop of Chicago is urging Illinois lawmakers to adopt restrictions on assault weapons and other curbs on firearms after a Florida high school massacre and the fatal shooting of a police officer two weeks ago.
Cardinal Blase Cupich says "the youth of our nation are shaming the adult world into action." Teen-aged activists have protested for tougher rules on firearms after 17 students were killed Feb. 14 in Parkland, Florida.
Lawmakers are expecting floor votes on five measures Wednesday. They include banning sales of assault-style weapons to those under 21.
Cupich says he's met with the widow and daughter of Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer. He was killed Feb. 13 in downtown Chicago. Cupich says support for the gun measures by law enforcement officials -- including Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson -- is "compelling."