Safe gun storage bill arrives on governor's desk despite Republican concerns

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Democratic "Safe At Home" gun storage plan arrived on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk Thursday.

This legislation could require all guns to be put in a locked container if there are minors, at-risk people, or anyone ineligible to hold a FOID card nearby.

Gun owners would be fined up to $1,000 if a minor or prohibited person gains access to a gun that is not safely stored. The fine could increase to $10,000 if the person kills someone with that firearm.

House Republicans and advocates argue the proposal could be unconstitutional following Supreme Court cases like Heller vs. D.C.

"I wish we had more opportunity to talk this through. This is going to be challenged in court," said Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville). "This is going to be another case that the Attorney General is going to have to handle case after case after case. You're trying to do something that makes people safer, but you're actually infringing on their rights."

Gun owners would not face any fines if their firearm is stolen by an intruder. However, owners must report the crime within 48 hours.

This measure passed out of the House and Senate on partisan votes this spring.

"We've had too many tragedies involving firearms that could have easily been prevented," said Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia). "Putting a law like this in the books means we're taking the necessary steps to address the deadly implications of firearms not being properly stored and falling into the wrong hands."