Starting January 1, 2026, Illinois firearm owners will face strict new storage requirements and potential civil penalties under the Safe Gun Storage Act.

Signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker last July, the law mandates that gun owners secure their weapons in a locked container or with a tamper-resistant safety device if a minor, an “at-risk” person, or a prohibited person is likely to gain access to them.

Under the new statute, simply hiding a firearm on a high shelf or in a drawer will no longer be legally sufficient if a child under 18 lives in or visits the home.

Firearms must be:

• Secured in a locked box or container, or
• Equipped with a properly engaged safety device that renders the weapon inaccessible or unusable to anyone other than the owner.

This requirement is triggered whenever an owner “knows or reasonably should know” that a protected individual is likely to gain access. The law defines protected individuals broadly to include minors under 18, persons prohibited by law from owning guns (such as felons), and “at-risk” individuals—those who have demonstrated behavior indicating a likelihood of self-harm or harming others.

An exception exists for firearms that are being carried by or are under the immediate control of the owner.

Violations of the Act are civil offenses, not criminal felonies, but they come with a tiered system of fines designed to punish negligence based on the outcome:

• $500 Maximum Fine: For a standard violation where no unauthorized access actually occurs.
• $1,000 Maximum Fine: If a minor, at-risk person, or prohibited person actually gains access to the unsecured firearm.
• $10,000 Maximum Fine: If the unsecured weapon is used to cause injury, death, or is used in the commission of a crime.

In lieu of fines, judges have the discretion to order community service or restitution. However, the law also explicitly states that a violation constitutes prima facie evidence of negligence in any civil lawsuit resulting from an injury or death—potentially exposing gun owners to significant liability in personal injury cases.

The Act also tightens the timeline for reporting missing weaponry. Previously, gun owners had 72 hours to report a lost or stolen firearm to local police. Effective Jan. 1, that window shrinks to 48 hours after the discovery of the loss.