SPRINGFIELD – Unsecured weapons in homes have caused devastating and avoidable tragedies in recent years, particularly involving children and teenagers. State Senator Laura Ellman passed a critical public safety law to strengthen gun storage standards in Illinois, ensuring firearms are kept out of the hands of children, vulnerable populations 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.

Expanding existing law, Ellman’s new law requires gun owners to secure their firearms if any minor, regardless of age, is present in the home – ensuring that if a gun owner knows a child may access their firearm, it must be securely stored in a locked container.

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.

Thanks to Ellman’s leadership, Illinois is taking 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.

“Unsecured handguns put children and teenagers at the highest risk of harm or death,” said Ellman. “This measure strengthens Illinois storage safety standards, addressing the prevalence of gun-related fatalities and injuries in our state due to unsecured firearms.”

Senate Bill 8 was signed into law Monday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.