Gun violence prevention advocates in Illinois are intensifying their efforts to pass SB8, a safe gun storage bill that mandates firearms be locked away if minors are present in the same building. This initiative comes as activists, lawmakers, and survivors gather at the state capitol, holding photos of loved ones lost to gun violence and calling for urgent action to mitigate firearm-related deaths, which disproportionately affect children.
The bill, led by State Sen. Laura Ellman, has cleared the Senate and advocates assert it addresses a critical issue as 75% of school shootings involve weapons from home. Additionally, supporters are advocating for a homicide report bill to increase transparency regarding unsolved cases, emphasizing that many families face prolonged uncertainty years after the killings of their loved ones. Both legislative proposals are poised for a vote before the session concludes on May 31.
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