SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A plan to require guns to be stored in a locked container when not in use passed the Senate executive committee Thursday.
Guns at a local gun shop
The bill tries to limit accidental or intentional access of firearms from minors or at risk persons that have led to deaths across the U.S.
If a prohibited person gains access to the firearm, the gun owner could be fined up to $1,000. If that person kills someone with that firearm, the fine is bumped up to $10,000.
Advocates of the bill urged the importance of safe gun storage.
"A U.S. Secret Service investigation found that over 75% of youth and teen school shooters got their firearm from a home of a friend or family member, majority of which were not secured properly," Tim Carey of John Hopkins for Gun Violence Solutions said.
State Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) said the plan would reduce gun violence by keeping those weapons in "tight and secure storage."
There were a lot of opponents to the bill. Advocates questioned the constitutional legitimacy of the proposal when it comes to concealed carry or allowing people without a FOID card to use their firearm.
Another challenge was a provision in the current bill language that would allow police officers to revoke a FOID card, which opponents said only a judge can do.
"I understand what you're trying to do we all want less crime and less people dying," State Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Aledo) said. "My kids have been shooting since they were old enough to hold a firearm. They know not to mess with them. I think if we teach our kids a healthy respect for firearms we'd see a lot less problems."
The plan passed out of the Senate Executive committee on a partisan 9-4 vote. It now heads to the Senate floor for further debate.
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