West Central Reporter

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed the “Safe Gun Storage Act” into law, introducing new requirements for firearm storage in Illinois. Senate Bill 8 mandates that gun owners store firearms in locked containers when minors, prohibited persons, or individuals deemed “at-risk” are present. The legislation includes provisions that have drawn criticism for their complexity and potential legal ambiguity.

State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) voted against the bill, expressing concerns about its impact on constitutional rights and the clarity of its mandates. Davidsmeyer stated, “Senate Bill 8 is an overreaching and unconstitutional restriction on the Second Amendment rights of responsible Illinois citizens. This law creates excessive and confusing firearm storage mandates, subjects law-abiding gun owners to stiff civil penalties, and places them at risk of prosecution for simply exercising their right to self-defense. SB 8 will be challenged in the courts and should be overturned.”

The bill passed narrowly in the Illinois House during the 2025 spring session. Davidsmeyer emphasized his commitment to gun rights and hunting issues, saying, “With limited debate, I was honored to speak on an issue that is near and dear to my heart: firearm safety, gun rights, and hunting.”

Governor Pritzker defended the new law as part of a broader effort to address gun violence in Illinois. In a statement released with the signing of SB 8, he said: “Illinois has been one of the most aggressive states in the nation in combatting the epidemic of gun violence that has plagued our communities for far too long.”

Davidsmeyer criticized Pritzker’s overall record on public safety measures. He said, “Let’s be perfectly clear about Gov. Pritzker’s record on public safety: the ‘No SAFE-T Act’ put violent criminals back on our streets; Pritzker’s Prisoner Review Board failed victims and released murderers from prison; Illinois’ sanctuary state policy makes it much more difficult to detain and deport criminal illegal aliens; and Pritzker’s gun ban has done nothing to reduce gun violence. JB Pritzker’s continued attacks on our constitutional rights have put criminals before victims and made our communities less safe.”

Davidsmeyer was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 100th House District in 2012 after replacing Jim Watson.