An old-time shoot-'em-up between Chicago and downstate representatives may be ahead in the Illinois General Assembly over a proposal to register and title all handguns — for $65 per weapon.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants the legislation as a way to keep guns acquired elsewhere from being used in crimes inside Chicago. Gun owners in Chicago already must register their weapons with police, but there is no similar law for the rest of the state.

In this area, it's hard to find anyone who favors the plan. Gun owners, gun shop dealers, two police chiefs and politicians say it's an unnecessary money grab that violates Second Amendment gun rights.

"They're not taking the guns away from the criminals," said Kelly Ritter, manager of Jim's Pawn & Jewelry in Collinsville. Gun sales make up about a third of the store's business. "They're taking it away from the honest people."

A statement by Emanuel's press office said the plan for certificates of registration from the Illinois State Police for handguns would be like a car registration. Handgun owners would have to provide their Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification Card plus identifying information on themselves, the handgun and where they acquired it.

"This is common sense gun legislation that will protect the rights of responsible gun owners while helping to keep illegal guns off the streets," Emanuel said in a news release. The proposal has not yet been introduced as legislation.

But opponents said police now can trace ownership of guns and that a Firearm Owner Identification Card serves the same purpose.

Ritter said he keeps information on gun purchases for years. Using this, police easily can trace the ownership of a gun found at a crime scene, he said.

Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons said the proposal is a terrible idea.

"The only ones who are going to register their guns are law-abiding citizens," Gibbons said. "There's already more than adequate records kept on the purchase and sale of firearms."

Also registering his opposition is State Rep. Scott Penny, D-Fairmont City. "I don't believe there's any possibility of that bill passing in the House," said Penny, who is Fairmont City Police Chief and a longtime member of the National Rifle Association. "Gun owners as a group are suspicious of all legislation like this."

The opponents also include Granite City Police Chief Richard Miller.

"I think that it violates the Second Amendment," Miller said.

Back at Jim's Pawn & Jewelry, customer Alan Williams said he didn't think the plan is necessary.

"They're finding ways to make money," said Williams, 64, a truck driver who lives in Belleville. "All the guns that we own legally are traceable."

Contact reporter Jim Merkel at 618-344-0264, ext. 138