SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – A controversial gun safety bill is one step away from becoming law in Illinois. Senate Bill 8, known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, passed the House 69-40 and is now on its way to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk for final approval.
The bill requires firearm owners to store guns in a locked box when a minor, at-risk person, or someone prohibited from owning a firearm could access it. It also raises the minimum age for child access protection from 14 to 18 and shortens the reporting window for lost or stolen guns from 72 to 48 hours.
Backers say the bill addresses rising concerns over gun violence and unintentional shootings involving minors. “Safe gun storage can reduce unintentional injuries, suicides and school shootings by stopping unauthorized access,” said Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia), the bill’s sponsor.
Critics, however, argue the bill infringes on Second Amendment rights and could be unconstitutional. Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) and others raised concerns about vague language, lawful permission definitions, and potential criminal penalties for legal gun owners.
The legislation also gives the Illinois State Police power to revoke FOID cards for repeated failure to report lost or stolen firearms, a provision opponents say violates recent Supreme Court rulings.
SB8 includes expanded requirements for gun dealers to verify firearms aren’t listed as lost or stolen, and establishes felony charges for illegal gun trafficking. While praised by gun control advocates, the bill faces strong opposition from groups like the ACLU of Illinois, the Illinois State Rifle Association, and the Illinois State Crime Commission.
Governor Pritzker has not indicated whether he will sign the bill into law.