Illinois lawmakers pass bill to fine gun owners for improper storage

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The “Safe Gun Storage Act” passed the Illinois General Assembly this week, a bill that would fine gun owners for not properly securing firearms.

Senate Bill 8 requires new rules for storing guns in homes where children and at-risk people are present.

Gun owners could be fined anywhere from $500 if weapons are not securely stored to $10,000 if an unsecured weapon is used in a crime or suicide.

Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) believes the bill criminalizes lawful gun owners.

“People are going to be so confused as to what they are supposed to do. And that’s what this Democrat majority wants. They want to make more law-abiding gun owners criminals,” he said.

Tyler Krieter, a member of the activist group Moms Demand Action, says the bill focuses on irresponsible gun owners.

“I hear the pushback from the other side because the other side thinks that always just coming after law-abiding citizens. And no, we’re not. We’re coming after people who are criminals, who are irresponsible with their guns,” said Krieter.

He said the bill is based on data and studies.

“About 50% of gun owners don’t securely lock all their firearms away here. And 82% of the teen suicides involve a gun that belonged to a family member, it says. It’s not a left or right thing. It’s statistics,” Krieter said. “Almost every member of my family owns a gun here. We all agree with this bill here. It’s going to help lower down suicides among teens. It’s going to help cut down on irresponsible gun owners. If you are a responsible gun owner, you have nothing to worry about.”

Cabello said he doesn’t agree.

“The Democrats seem to just want to go after the law-abiding citizen in constantly making it harder and harder for folks to own weapons,” he said.

Critics of the bill say they plan to challenge its constitutionality if Gov. Pritzker signs it into law.