In response to the recent Georgia school shooting, Illinois legislators are making a push to enact stronger gun storage laws, a move that reflects a growing concern over gun safety and responsible ownership. State Sen. Laura Ellman and State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, both Democrats, have proposed legislation to compel gun owners to securely store their firearms in any home with minors under the age of 18. This is a step up from the current law which targets homes with children 13 or younger. "We’ve just seen that that age is too young," Hirschauer said, emphasizing the need to "strengthen that law" in light of recent events, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The proposed bill appears in the wake of 14-year-old Colt Gray's use of his father's AR-15 style rifle to seriously harm others at his school in Georgia. Hirschauer is looking to quickly pass a revised bill, potentially during the November veto session or early January. The changes would not just expand the age for mandatory gun storage but also enforce tougher penalties for non-compliance, including civil fines that start at $500. These fines would contribute to a state fund for mental health services. The legislation also aims to prevent "at-risk" people from accessing guns and give incentives for firearm safety devices, as Hirschauer endeavors to "set ourselves up in the perfect situation where we're education, we’re incentivizing and we’re strengthening of policy," the Sun-Times detailed.
The recent legislative history in Illinois shows a mixed track record on gun control measures. Earlier in the year, numerous gun control proposals did not arrive on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk despite the broader success of legislation in other areas. Notably, “Karina’s Bill,” designed to enforce the forfeiture of firearms in domestic violence situations and stronger gun storage requirements, was among those that did not pass. The Gun Violence Prevention PAC expressed its disappointment, criticizing the legislative inaction on such crucial measures, according to WTTW News. The ongoing political struggle underscores the challenges advocates face despite an increase in gun violence and high-profile incidents that sharply illustrate the need for legislative action.
Cases where parents faced charges for providing firearms to their children have further highlighted the urgency of reform. Illinois has seen convictions handed down in situations where parents did not properly secure their weapons, as in the case of Jennifer and James Crumbley, connected to a 2021 school shooting. Following the Georgia tragedy, Colt Gray's father faces charges including involuntary manslaughter, with authorities pointing to his knowledge of the threat his son posed. Colin Gray's enabling of his son's actions led to four counts of murder against the teenager by providing a firearm to Colt Gray with knowledge that he was a threat to himself and others, the arrest warrant stated, as mentioned by the Sun-Times.
