Gov Quinn cites the Aurora and Arizona shootings as proof of this much needed law. (Flick/ChrisEaves)

Curently, New Jersey and Massachusetts are two amongst a small number of states that have such a ban in place; bans that were enacted after a 2004 assault weapons ban was allowed to expire by congress.

Now, in the wake of the Colorado movie theater shooting, the debate has been reignited and state officials are clamoring for the federal ban to be renewed while proposing bans for their own states.

"We should show the nation that when something really bad happens, as happened in Aurora, Colorado, a horrific massacre, that we don't stand idly by. We take action," Quinn told reporters at a press conference.

The Chicago Tribune said that even though a ban seems much needed, especially in the wake of such a tragedy, the bill faces major hurdles and has a small chance at being passed. It also doesn't help that Quinn's proposal has been deemed a "publicity stunt" by the bill's original sponsor, Republican Senator David Luechtefeld. Luechtefeld said that Gov. Quinn's additions would undercut the bill's original purpose, which was to allow Illinois residents to purchase ammunition through the mail. He also said that if Gov. Quinn wanted to ban assault weapons, he should introduce his own bill to do so.

Read the full article at the AP. 

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage of the Aurora shooting. 

Reach Executive Producer Francesca Martens here; follow her here.