Gun Laws And 2a
Illinois Governor Signs Two New Gun Safety Bills Into Law
Illinois Strengthens Gun Safety with New Storage and Tracing Legislation
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Springfield, IL
SPRINGFIELD, IL Governor J.B. Pritzker signed two significant gun safety bills into law yesterday, July 28, 2025, aimed at promoting responsible gun ownership and enhancing law enforcement's ability to trace firearms. The Safe Gun Storage Act (SB 0008) strengthens requirements for secure firearm storage in homes where minors, at-risk individuals, or prohibited persons might access them. This includes provisions for civil penalties for improper storage and a reduction in the reporting window for lost or stolen firearms from 72 to 48 hours. Advocates for the bill cite studies suggesting that enhanced safe storage laws can lead to a substantial decrease in unintentional shootings by children. In tandem, HB 1373 mandates that all Illinois law enforcement agencies participate in the federal eTrace platform. This measure is designed to streamline investigations and improve cross-jurisdictional firearm tracing for guns used unlawfully or recovered at crime scenes. The Attorney General's office has championed this initiative, emphasizing its role in providing police with crucial tools to track illegal firearms and combat criminal trafficking. These legislative actions build upon previous gun safety measures in Illinois, including expanded background checks, bans on 'ghost guns,' and restrictions on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The state continues to push for a comprehensive approach to reducing gun violence through a combination of stricter regulations and enhanced enforcement capabilities.