SPRINGFIELD - Spurred by the shooting deaths of five students at Northern Illinois University, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's former point man on hunting and outdoor issues says the state should charge more for gun licenses.

Former Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold told a House panel Wednesday that the state should boost the cost of a Firearms Owner Identification card to $25 for five years, up from its current level of $5.

The proceeds of the higher fee could help the Illinois State Police conduct more thorough background checks that might reveal an applicant's prior mental health problems, he said.

"It needs to be raised," said Brunsvold, a former state lawmaker from Milan who served as chief of DNR from 2003 to 2005. "I would gladly pay $25 for five years."

The idea received some support from members of the House Executive Committee, who were debating a package of tougher gun laws now moving through the House.

"I think its something worth pursuing," said state Rep. Joe Lyons, D-Chicago. "It makes sense."

Blagojevich has repeatedly pledged to not raise the cost of a FOID card. His office did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The Illinois State Police, which processes FOID cards, is not currently pursuing the idea, said spokesman Scott Compton.

The concept arose as the panel gave its approval to legislation backed by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley that would ban semiautomatic weapons and .50 caliber rifles, as well as a plan to limit handgun purchases to one a month per person.

Both ideas - House Bills 4393 and 4357 -were sent to the full House for further debate, despite opposition from the National Rifle Association.

NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde said banning semiautomatic weapons could hurt gun manufacturers located in the northwestern part of the state. He said many gun-related crimes could be avoided if existing weapons laws were better enforced.

"When is enough enough?" Vandermyde asked. "When are they ever going to be satisfied?"

Although Brunsvold, who is now a lobbyist, said the legislation was being debated because of the shootings at NIU, supporters said they were merely resurrecting proposals that have been debated in Springfield many times. Previous attempts to ban large-capacity gun magazine clips and limit handgun purchases have fallen short in the House and Senate.

"We've been fighting this for years," said state Rep. Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago, who is the chief sponsor of the proposal to ban semiautomatic weapons.

Supporters of the gun control proposals acknowledged that the legislation would not have prevented Steve Kazmierczak from opening fire Feb. 14 in a crowded NIU lecture hall.

Kazmierczak grappled with mental illness, but he was not barred from buying guns. He had a valid FOID card and purchased the guns used in the killing legally.