Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is taking his call for new state gun regulations to the church pulpit. He’s been reaching out to church-goers about his positions on increased gun control measures currently being debated by the state General Assembly.

At St. Sabina’s on the city’s South Side Sunday, Quinn invoked the Bible in talking about proposals like expanding background checks, banning certain guns and reporting lost or stolen weapons.

“We’re not going to stand by and let children and others be killed. No no no. We’re going to listen to what Paul said: Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails,” Quinn told the congregation.

Quinn also visited two other churches on Chicago’s West Side almost a month ago to push for gun control legislation.

The pastor at St. Sabina’s, Father Michael Pfleger, said he’s taking a group to Springfield this week to lobby for stricter gun regulations.

“If Connecticut can respond out of what happened in New Town, Illinois, you ought to respond to what’s going on in Chicago on the South Side and the West Side,” Pfleger said after Quinn spoke. “It’s time to step up.”

Pfleger could have a tough sell to some lawmakers from outside Chicago who have been resistant to bans on so-called assault weapons.

Much of the debate in Springfield has focused on allowing concealed carry after a federal court ruled Illinois’ ban on carrying concealed weapons was unconstitutional. Legislators have until June to approve a concealed carry measure.