In their upcoming lame duck session that commences today, Illinois legislators might be facing an assault of their own. The Senate president, according to the website The truth about guns, is planning to push through legislation banning assault weapons in that state. The pro-gun website also claims there are two bills: “one for semi-automatic rifles, lever guns, shotguns and handguns with certain features (e.g., threaded barrels); and one for ammunition magazine capacity.” It’s issued a call to arms of sorts to all Illinois gun owners, warning them that the vote breakdown is close and their voices need to be heard. The Governor has come out in support of a semi-automatic weapons ban.

It’s just another wrinkle in the complex gun control debate that is filling the hallowed halls of state legislatures everywhere, even reaching the Oval office. In the wake of the Newtown shootings, it’s been a pretty common topic of conversation, but as one article I recently read points out, the two sides don’t speak the same language. One side speaks of constitutional rights, the other of safety. And sometimes, they’re interchangeable.

Which is it?