SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers narrowly rejected a proposed ban on assault weapons and .50-caliber rifles Tuesday amid intense lobbying by both sides in the debate. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has repeatedly called for stronger gun control measures. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Chicago Democrat, got personally involved by calling lawmakers and distributing videos demonstrating the firepower of assault weapons. The National Rifle Association argued that the proposed ban was too broad and would ban weapons used by hunters, target-shooters and collectors as well. Rep. Edward Acevedo, a Chicago police officer, denied his legislation would have a broad impact. He said...