Illinois’ safe gun storage law goes into effect Jan. 1

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Components of Illinois Safe Gun Storage Act go into effect Jan. 1.

Supporters of Senate Bill 8, like gun control advocacy group Giffords, say in addition to strengthening existing domestic violence laws and investing $19 million in taxpayer funds to community violence intervention programs, Illinois enacting the safe gun storage law scores as an “A” for the state for gun safety.

“Through strong leadership, Illinois earned an A grade on the GIFFORDS Annual Gun Law Scorecard this year. Commonsense gun laws stop crime and save lives, and Illinois is proof of just how effective they can be,” Giffords Executive Director Emma Brown said in a statement. “While we celebrate the progress made in states like Illinois, we still have more lifesaving work to do.”

Part of the law requires firearms to be stored if there is anyone not eligible under federal and state law to handle a firearm.

“If it’s not on your person then you have to have it locked up and securely locked up,” U.S. LawShield President Kirk Evans told The Center Square.

Evans said the law goes beyond increasing the current age threshold from 14 to 18 for when the firearm should be locked up.

“Sort of the big one is that the statute adds two additional categories of folks who you can’t allow access to firearms, and those are at risk persons and prohibited persons,” Evans said.

He said it’s unworkable.

“How in the world are you going to know about someone’s criminal history?” Evans said. “How are you going to know if they just posted on Facebook that they’re going to shoot up a school? It makes it very, very subjective and difficult for individuals to figure out.”

The bill also requires gun owners to report if a gun has been stolen or lost within 48 hours, as opposed to the previous 72-hour requirement. Civil penalties could be up to $10,000 if a stolen firearm not secured in a safe is used in a crime.

Opponents of the measure said it also infringes on the right to keep and bear arms by making home defense more difficult.