Chung Passes Major Gun Safety Reforms to Get Firearms Out of the Hands of Abusers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, delivered major gun safety reforms to get guns out of the hands of domestic abusers Tuesday, creating new protections to remove firearms and ammunition from individuals who are the subject of protection orders.

“Authorizing law enforcement to remove firearms from the hands of domestic abusers is necessary to ensure the safety of domestic abuse survivors,” said Chung. “The timely removal of firearms and firearms parts will further protect and ensure the safety of domestic abuse survivors and their families.”

Chung helped pass House Bill 4144, also referred to as Karina’s Bill, which aims to break the toxic combination of guns and domestic violence by strengthening protection orders and empowering judges to remove guns from abusers. After a judge issues a protection order for domestic violence, law enforcement would be required to remove firearms from the subject of the order within 96 hours of a judge’s order.

The bill is named in memory of Karina Gonzalez, who along with her teenage daughter Daniela was murdered by an abuser who should have never had access to a firearm. Even though Gonzalez had a protection order against her abuser, he was not made to surrender his guns.

“Unfortunately, Gonzalez and her daughter are not the only victims of this type of violence,” said Chung. “In May 2024, our community was rocked after Amy Moore was murdered by her ex-husband. Following her death, I worked with Rep. Hirschauer to pass Karina’s Bill, urging the importance of its quick passage. I provided my work and support for this bill in memory of Amy Moore and to prevent another tragedy like this from happening. Normal lost more than just a loved member of the community; Moore was an adored mother of three sons and an appreciated elementary public-school teacher.”

National statistics show that the presence of a gun in a home where domestic abuse occurs increases the risk of homicide by 500%.

“The loss of both Karina and her daughter Daniela is heartbreaking and may have been prevented had firearms been removed from the abuser’s possession,” said Chung. “We must do everything we can to protect domestic abuse survivors and ensure their safety for the future, and we are achieving this through Karina’s Bill.”