Bill Text: IL SB1521 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Provides that the Act may be referred to as Ethan's Law. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for a person to store or keep any firearm on the premises of a residence under the control of the person if the person knows, or reasonably should know, that: (1) a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the parent or guardian of the minor; or (2) a resident of the residence is ineligible to possess a firearm under federal, State, or local law. Provides exemptions for safe storage of the firearm. Provides that a person who commits a violation is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined $500 per violation. Provides that if a person a person who commits a violation is a minor or a resident who is ineligible to possess a firearm under federal, State, or local law obtains the firearm and causes injury or death to the minor, resident, or any other individual, the person is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that any firearm stored in violation of this provision is subject to seizure and forfeiture. Repeals provisions of the Code relating to firearms and child protection.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)

Status: (Failed) 2025-01-07 - Session Sine Die [SB1521 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB1521-Introduced.html

---

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB1521 Introduced 2/8/2023, by Sen. Laura Ellman SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
720 ILCS 5/24-9.1 new
720 ILCS 5/24-9 rep.
Provides that the Act may be referred to as Ethan's Law. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for a person to store or keep any firearm on the premises of a residence under the control of the person if the person knows, or reasonably should know, that: (1) a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the parent or guardian of the minor; or (2) a resident of the residence is ineligible to possess a firearm under federal, State, or local law. Provides exemptions for safe storage of the firearm. Provides that a person who commits a violation is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined $500 per violation. Provides that if a person violates this provision and a minor or a resident who is ineligible to possess a firearm under federal, State, or local law obtains the firearm and causes injury or death to the minor, resident, or any other individual, the person is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that any firearm stored in violation of this provision is subject to seizure and forfeiture. Repeals provisions of the Code relating to firearms and child protection.
LRB103 27002 RLC 53369 b
A BILL FOR
SB1521 LRB103 27002 RLC 53369 b
AN ACT concerning criminal law.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. This Act may be referred to as Ethan's Law.
Section 5. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by adding
Section 24-9.1 as follows:
(720 ILCS 5/24-9.1 new)
Sec. 24-9.1. Secure firearm storage by owners.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful
for a person to store or keep any firearm on the premises of a
residence under the control of the person if the person knows,
or reasonably should know, that:
(1) a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm
without the permission of the parent or guardian of the
minor; or
(2) a resident of the residence is ineligible to
possess a firearm under federal, State, or local law.
(b) This Section does not apply to a person if the person:
(1) keeps the firearm:
(A) secure using a secure gun storage or safety
device; or
(B) in a location that a reasonable person would

SB1521 - 2 - LRB103 27002 RLC 53369 b
believe to be secure; or
(2) carries the firearms on his or her person or
within such close proximity thereto that the person can
readily retrieve and use the firearm as if the person
carried the firearm on his or her person.
(c) Any person who violates subsection (a) is guilty of a
petty offense and shall be fined $500 per violation. If a
person violates subsection (a) and a minor or a resident who is
ineligible to possess a firearm under federal, State, or local
law obtains the firearm and causes injury or death to the
minor, resident, or any other individual, the person is guilty
of a Class 2 felony.
(d) Any firearm stored in violation of subsection (a) is
subject to seizure and forfeiture.
(720 ILCS 5/24-9 rep.)
Section 10. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by
repealing Section 24-9.