The Associated Press recently asked candidates for Illinois governor questions about gun-control legislation.

Here are highlights of their answers:

QUESTION: "Would you sign or veto legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons in Illinois?"

REPUBLICANS

-- Adam Andrzejewski: "Would veto a ban on semiautomatic 'assault weapons' in most circumstances. It comes down (to) law abiding citizens having the right to defend their life, liberty and property."

-- Bill Brady: "I am opposed to any further restrictions to the ownership of firearms as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and would veto legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic weapons."

-- Kirk Dillard: "Without having more sufficient detail, including the definition of an "assault-style weapon," and for what circumstances the use of these weapons would be approved, this question is difficult to answer."

-- Andy McKenna: "I believe in the Second Amendment and law abiding citizen's right to own firearms to protect their families and for sporting purposes.

-- Dan Proft: "I would veto such legislation. ... I believe arbitrary gun bans are unconstitutional and would oppose such bans."

-- Jim Ryan: "I would sign it [assault-weapons ban] provided it was narrowly drawn and did not violate our 2nd Amendment rights."

-- Bob Schillerstrom: "I would sign constitutionally sound [assault-weapons ban] legislation banning assault weapons in Illinois."

DEMOCRATS

-- Dan Hynes: "I would sign [assault-weapons ban] legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons in Illinois.

-- Pat Quinn: "I would sign [assault-weapons ban] legislation banning the sale and possession of semiautomatic assault-style weapons."

-- William "Dock" Walls: "I would sign [assault-weapons ban] such legislation."

GREEN PARTY

-- Rich Whitney: "If it truly and accurately defines assault weapons in a manner that does not impair the rights of lawful gun owners to possess firearms for defensive purposes, and respects the rights of legitimate gun collectors, then yes, I would sign it."

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QUESTION: "Would you sign or veto legislation allowing concealed-carry for handguns?"

REPUBLICANS

-- Adam Andrzejewski: "I would sign it. ... Law abiding citizens have this right."

-- Bill Brady: "Constitutional rights should be afforded to eligible, law-abiding Illinois citizens, and therefore concealed carry should be legalized.

-- Kirk Dillard: "With proper training and thorough background checks, and dependent upon the exact language drafted in the legislation, I could support allowing concealed-carry for handguns as almost every other state in the nation has done."

-- Andy McKenna: "I am opposed to concealed-carry legislation."

-- Dan Proft: "I would sign right to carry legislation."

-- Jim Ryan: "I would veto [right to carry]. I believe reasonable people can differ on this issue but on balance, drawing from my experience as a law enforcement official, I believe we are better off without concealed-carry."

-- Bob Schillerstrom: "I would veto [right to carry] legislation  allowing concealed carry for handguns. I am a supporter of the Second Amendment; however, I do not believe that concealed carry is a solution for reducing crime in the State of Illinois."

DEMOCRATS

-- Dan Hynes: Hynes didn't take a position on concealed carry in general but did say he opposes a new law letting people bring concealed guns into someone else's home if they have permission.

-- Pat Quinn: "I would veto [right to carry] legislation allowing concealed-carry for handguns."

-- William "Dock" Walls: "I would veto [right to carry] conceal and carry legislation."

GREEN PARTY

Rich Whitney: "I would sign legislation allowing concealed-carry or open carry -- although ... I would prefer that any such legislation allow individual counties to opt out if they so chose."