New gun safety laws aim to improve gun storage, firearm tracing in Illinois

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Governor JB Pritzker signed two bills on Monday aimed at improving gun safety in Illinois.

Senate Bill 0008, also known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, strengthens gun storage requirements to prevent minors, “at-risk” people, or someone prohibited from using firearms from accessing the weapons.

According to Pritzker’s office, the law outlines improved safe storage requirements and adds civil penalties for improper storage. It 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.

Pritzker also signed House Bill 1373 on Monday. It requires every law enforcement agency in Illinois to participate in the federal firearm tracing platform — known as eTrace. Pritzker’s office said this will ensure consistent reporting and cross-county firearm tracing during investigations.

Pritzker’s office added that states with stricter gun storage laws and firearm reporting requirements see decreased unintentional shootings by children and illegal gun trafficking.

“Illinois has been one of the most aggressive states in the nation in combatting the epidemic of gun violence that has plagued our communities for far too long,” Pritzker said in a news release. “We’ve spent the past six years working with law enforcement, engaging with frontline communities, and studying the most effective policy solutions for reducing gun deaths. Today’s legislation contains common sense measures to support law enforcement and promote gun safety in our homes and across our state.”

The two bills were signed on Monday.

State Senator Laura Ellman is one of the co-sponsors for SB0008. Ellman said the law will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. State Senator Bill Cunningham, one of the co-sponsors of HB1373, said the law takes effect immediately.