SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Democrats seeking assault-weapon restrictions planned to split the issue Wednesday, seeking committee approval of a ban on high-capacity ammunition clips and a separate restriction on semiautomatic guns.

Sen. Dan Kotowski told The Associated Press he will press a measure that would limit ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds. A similar measure got Senate approval in 2007, but Kotowski downplayed the idea that a separate effort on shells stood a better chance of passage.

“The reason why I’m focusing on that is because [high] magazine capacity has led to the increased lethality and the dangers associated with automatic weapons,” the Park Ridge Democrat said.