Gun owners in Illinois face $10K fine if weapon is stolen and used in a crime

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A bill designed to keep firearms from children, the mentally ill, and potential criminals has passed through the Illinois General Assembly and heads to Gov. Pritzker’s desk to be signed into law.

Senate Bill 8 passed its final hurdle in the statehouse on Wednesday.

Current Illinois law requires gun owners to keep their weapons secured if a child under the age of 14 is present in the home.

The new legislation expands that requirement if any minor is present, regardless of age.

The text of the law also applies if an “at-risk person or prohibited person” is present in the home.

A violation of the law would subject the gun owner to a $500 fine. That increases to $1,000 if the gun owner “reasonably should know” the weapon was likely to gain access to the weapon.

However, if an unsecured gun is taken and used in the commission of suicide or a crime, the gun owner can face a fine of up to $10,000.

“Unfortunately, children and teens are most at risk of injury or death because of unsecured guns, and Illinois has seen over 1,700 gun-related deaths due to firearms not being locked away,” said Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville), who introduced the bill. “This measure addresses these risks and the rising number of gun-related deaths and injuries by strengthening Illinois storage safety standards.”

According to data from the Illinois Senate Democrats, nearly 54% of gun owners do not securely lock all of their firearms, and 82% of teen suicides involve a gun that belonged to a family member. Democrats also cite studies that show lost or stolen guns are major contributors to suicides, unintentional shootings, mass shootings, and escalating crime.

Studies show that states that have adopted strong firearm storage laws have seen a 78% decrease in unintentional shootings by children, and a 46% reduction in illegal gun trafficking.

“Only in Illinois would we hold victims of crime more accountable than the criminals,” said Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park). “Now, if someone breaks into your home and steals your firearm, you could be slapped with a $10,000 fine. It is ridiculous and anti-American.”

“Democrats are so eager to score points with out-of-state anti-gun groups that they’ve abandoned common sense entirely,” Cabello added. “Instead of enforcing the laws we already have or holding repeat offenders accountable, they’re placing blame on law-abiding citizens and undermining the Second Amendment.”