Last week, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 8 into law, a measure that Senate Republicans say targets responsible gun owners instead of addressing violent crime.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the deadline to report a lost or stolen firearm will be shortened from 72 hours to just 48 hours. Anyone who misses that window could face heavy fines and even lose their FOID card, with repeat violations leading to more severe penalties.

Senate Republicans say this new law punishes people for being the victim of a crime. Many gun owners securely store firearms in safes, cabins, or vehicles that are not checked daily, making a 48-hour rule unrealistic.

Senate Republicans argue that this new law is just another one-size-fits-all mandate that turns law-abiding citizens into offenders while failing to crack down on actual criminals.