From the Illinois Freedom Caucus:
IL Freedom Caucus condemns latest reckless attack on gun owners and hunters
Springfield, IL – The Illinois Freedom Caucus strongly condemns the recent passage of SB 8 in the House, a bill that targets law-abiding gun owners while raising serious unanswered legal questions that threaten hunters, sportsmen, and all responsible firearm owners.
Among many other issues, the gun storage bill leaves critical issues unresolved, creating confusion and exposing legal risks for everyday hunters and gun owners who are simply trying to exercise their 2nd Amendment Right, enjoy the outdoors with their children, and protect their family.
Because this bill is so terrible, Democrats shut down debate on SB 8 in the House, cutting off dozens of speakers who wanted to raise concerns and questions on the implications and constitutionality of SB 8.
This rush to pass the bill ignored the voices of constituents and left many important questions unanswered.
“The Illinois Freedom Caucus stands with law-abiding gun owners who are being punished for crimes committed by others once again,” said Chairman Chris Miller.
“This legislation is reckless and ignorant. It targets hunters, sportsmen, and the countless responsible firearm owners across our state, rather than addressing criminal activity.”
This bill should be yet another signal to gun owners, hunters, and outdoorsmen that the Democrats don’t trust you. We look forward to this legislation being challenged in court.”
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Here is the short description of the bill. co-sponsored by State Rep. Sue Ness:
Senate Committee Amendment 1
Amends the Gun Trafficking Information Act.
Provides that the publicly available reports on an ongoing bases of crimes committed with firearms, locations where the crimes occurred, the number of persons killed or injured in the commission of the crimes shall include those crimes whether or not a stolen firearm was used in the commission of the crimes.
In the Criminal Code of 2012, deletes the amendatory changes to the possession of a stolen firearm and aggravated possession of stolen firearm statutes.
In the firearms trafficking statute, deletes the provision that the trier of fact may, but is not required to, infer intent to transfer or deliver from transportation on an expressway in the State in a vehicle more than one stolen or converted firearm per occupants of the vehicle.
In the firearms trafficking statute, includes as an element of the offense bringing, or causing to be brought, into the State, in a vehicle on an expressway in the State, more than one assault weapon that a person is prohibited from possession under the Code, per occupants of the vehicle. Changes various dates from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027.
Provides that the report of lost or stolen firearms shall include the Firearm Owner’s Identification Card number of the person making the report, if applicable.
Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, the person who is not a federally license firearm dealer (rather than the Illinois State Police) shall check the Illinois State Police Internet-based system upon which the serial numbers of firearms that have been reported stolen are available for public access for individuals to ensure any firearms are not reported stolen prior to the sale or transfer of a firearm.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections.
Provides that at the sentencing hearing the court shall make a finding of whether a firearm with a serial number reported as stolen on the Illinois State Police publicly accessible stolen firearms database was used in the commission of the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced.
Provides that in cases in which the court finds that a firearm with a serial number reported as stolen on the Illinois State Police publicly accessible database was used in the commission of the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced, the clerk of the court shall, within 5 days thereafter, forward a report of such conviction to the Illinois State Police Division of Justice Services.
Senate Floor Amendment 3
In the Safe Gun Storage Act, provides that a provision concerning the storage of firearms does not apply
(1) if the minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person gains access to a firearm and uses it in a lawful act of self-defense or defense of another; or
(2) to any firearm obtained by a minor, an at-risk person, or a prohibited person because of an unlawful entry of the premises by the minor, at-risk person, prohibited person or another person.
In the amendatory changes to the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act, provides that the sign posted in a conspicuous position on the certified licensee’s premises must contain the warning that it is unlawful for the licensee to fail to report the loss or theft of the licensee’s firearm to local law enforcement within 48 (rather than 72) hours.
In the amendatory changes to the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act, provides that the violation applies to a person who fails 2 or more times to report a loss or theft of a firearm within 48 hours after the discovery of such loss or theft to local law enforcement as required under the Criminal Code of 2012.
In the amendatory changes to the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to a person who possesses a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card and who possesses or acquires a firearm who fails to report the loss or theft of the firearm to the local law enforcement agency within 48 hours after obtaining knowledge of the loss or theft, deletes a provision which specifies that, for a second or subsequent offense, the failure to report the loss or theft of the firearm within 48 hours of the discovery of such loss or theft shall result in revocation of the person’s Firearm Owner’s Identification Card. Adds a severability provision to the bill.
Provides that any money received from the collection of a civil penalty under the Act shall be deposited in the Mental Health Fund. Defines terms. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes.
Effective January 1, 2026.
