Legislation supported by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz to strengthen safe storage requirements and curb access to guns by children and vulnerable individuals was signed into law Monday by Governor JB Pritzker.
“Illinois continues to lead with compassion and stand up for those whose lives have been lost due to gun violence,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Senate Bill 8 will prevent further tragedies from becoming realities. Commonsense measures like background checks, red flag laws and safe storage save lives.”
Studies consistently link unsecured, lost, and stolen firearms to suicides, unintentional shootings, mass shootings, and escalating crime. Nearly 54% of gun owners do not securely lock all of their firearms, and in 75% of school shootings, the shooter obtained the gun from a parent or relative. Tragically, an estimated 82% of adolescent firearm suicides involve a family member’s gun.
Currently, state law only requires firearm owners to secure their guns if a child under age 14 is present. Building on this safeguard, Feigenholtz supported the Safe Gun Storage Act to expand the requirement to include any minor, regardless of age, ensuring that if a firearm owner knows a child may access their firearm, it must be securely stored in a locked container. The new law also expands reporting requirements for lost and stolen firearms.
“Public safety isn’t negotiable,” Feigenholtz said. “I’m proud to stand behind this measure, which will save lives by ensuring firearms are safely stored out of reach of children.”
Senate Bill 8 takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
