Governor Pritzker Signs Bill Strengthening Firearms Restraining Order, First Ever State Law Addressing Ghost Guns

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 1092 into law, a measure championed by State Representative Denyse Stoneback (D-Skokie). With over 400 mass shootings and over 10,000 people dying as a result of gun violence so far this year, 2021 is on track to be the deadliest year of gun violence in decades.

HB 1092 strengthens the Firearms Restraining Order (FRO) Act by including yearly training for law enforcement on its implementation and creating an education and awareness campaign for the general public through the Illinois Department of Public Health. It also expands the categories of petitioners to include former spouses and people with a minor child in common.

The measure is designed to prevent the next mass shooting, hate crime, or gun suicide by temporarily removing firearms from individuals in crisis who pose a significant risk to themselves or others. When a FRO is granted, this bill will ensure that firearms—and now ammunition and firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm—are removed in a timely manner. This marks the first ever step by the state to address ghost guns in Illinois.

“I want to thank Governor Pritzker for signing this bill into law today,” says Representative Stoneback. “Thousands of Americans have already lost their lives this year due to gun violence and this doesn’t come a moment too soon. This legislation is one more step in doing our part as lawmakers to prevent further tragedies from gun violence.”

“I am incredibly thankful for the work and leadership by Representative Stoneback to get this bill on the Governor’s desk,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “House Bill 1092 will improve public awareness, as well as bolster police training, which will help result in tangible reforms to save lives.”

With the Governor’s signature today, the bill will take effect June 1, 2022.