(MCT) — The Illinois House opened up the spring session's first major debate between gun rights and gun control forces Tuesday, the two sides wrangling over how to balance a federal court decision that calls for making guns easier to carry in public along with addressing the rising violence on Chicago's streets.

Searing testimony ranged from a haunting plea for stronger background checks delivered by a mother whose child was killed five years ago in the mass shooting at Northern Illinois University to the staunch demand to pass concealed weapons legislation.