Illinois Expands Firearm Storage Law to Cover All Minors

Illinois has enacted the Safe Gun Storage Act, significantly broadening the state’s firearm storage requirements. Under prior law, secure storage applied only in homes where children aged 14 or younger were present. The new measure expands that requirement to include all minors under the age of 18, enlarging the scope of when firearms must be locked or otherwise rendered inaccessible.

The Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker signed this one into law earlier this month.

What the Law Requires

A firearm owner may not store or keep a firearm in premises where the owner knows or reasonably should know that a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access, unless the firearm is:

• Secured in a locked container; or
• Equipped with a locking device that renders it inaccessible or unusable to anyone other than the owner or another lawfully authorized user.

If the firearm is being carried by, or is under the direct control of, the owner or another lawfully authorized user, it is deemed lawfully stored.

Penalties

• Up to $500 for a basic violation.
• Up to $1,000 if a minor, at-risk person, or prohibited person actually gains access to the firearm.
• Up to $10,000 if the firearm is then used to injure or cause death, or is used in the commission of a crime.

Courts may order community service or restitution in lieu of civil penalties for good cause. Violations constitute negligence per se in civil proceedings if unauthorized access results in injury, death, or criminal use.

Enforcement & Effective Date

Civil actions to collect penalties may be brought by the Illinois Attorney General or the State’s Attorney in the county of the violation. Collected penalties are deposited into the state’s Mental Health Fund. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

If you’d like to dive deeper into how Illinois’ new requirements compare with other states, and what different approaches lawmakers have taken across the country, check out our full guide: The Status and Styles of Secure Storage Gun Laws. It breaks down the patchwork of storage mandates nationwide and helps gun owners understand the legal landscape beyond their own state.