SPRINGFIELD — For far too long, unsecured firearms in homes have led to devastating and preventable tragedies, especially among children and teenagers. In response to this ongoing crisis, State Senator Laura Ellman is championing a critical public safety measure to strengthen gun storage standards in Illinois, ensuring firearms are securely stored and kept out of the hands of minors and individuals at risk. Senate Bill 8, which passed the Senate on Thursday, would strengthen Illinois’ safe storage laws and expand protections to help keep guns out of the hands of children, at-risk individuals, and criminals.

“For far too long, we have witnessed the tragic consequences of unsecured firearms in homes,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “Firearms, if left unaccounted for and unsecured, pose risks to those who shouldn’t have access to them. Firearm owners can help prevent gun-related incidents by ensuring their guns are securely stored away from others.”

Studies show that unsecured firearms, along with lost or stolen guns, are major contributors to suicides, unintentional shootings, mass shootings, and escalating crime. Nearly 54% of gun owners do not securely lock all of their firearms, and in three-fourths of school shootings, the shooter obtained the firearm from a parent or relative. Alarmingly, 82% of adolescent firearm suicides involve a gun that belonged to a family member.

Currently, Illinois law only requires gun owners to secure their firearms if a child under the age of 14 is present. Senate Bill 8 would expand this 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.

“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,” Ellman said. “This measure addresses these risks and the rising number of gun-related deaths and injuries by strengthening Illinois storage safety standards.”

In addition to addressing gun storage, the legislation highlights the broader issue of lost and stolen firearms. An estimated 380,000 firearms are stolen each year from legal gun owners in the U.S., many of which are funneled into illegal markets and used in crimes. Lost firearms are three times more likely to be used in a crime, while stolen guns are nine times more likely to be involved in criminal activity.

Illinois now has the opportunity to take a significant step toward curbing these outcomes. States that have adopted secure firearm storage laws have seen up to a 78% decrease in unintentional shootings by children. Similarly, states with lost-and-stolen firearm reporting requirements have experienced a 46% reduction in illegal gun trafficking.

“SB8 represents a critical step in making Illinois safer,” said Ellman. “By strengthening our state’s gun laws, we can both promote responsible gun ownership and protect our communities from unnecessary harm.”

Senate Bill 8 passed the Senate on Thursday.