Illinois House Passes Major Safety Reforms to Get Firearms Out of the Hands of Abusers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois House 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.

“After years of fighting in Springfield and in the courts, and after extensive negotiation and advocacy, the passage of Karina’s Bill marks a significant step forward in protecting domestic violence survivors from firearms,” said Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, the chief sponsor of the legislation. “This survivor-centered bill honors the memory of Karina Gonzalez and her daughter Daniela who were murdered by an abuser who should have never had access to a firearm. Everyone who dreams of a future without gender- based violence knows that we cannot erase tragedies in the past, but we can and we must work to build a better future in memory of victims, survivors, and all who love them. The passage of Karina’s Bill is a long overdue step in that direction.”

House Bill 4144, also referred to as Karina’s Bill, 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.

“This is good, common-sense policy,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “We know that gun violence and domestic violence are deeply, and heartbreakingly, intertwined. It is our job as legislators to ensure we have laws on the books to protect survivors and keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

“I want to thank the chief sponsor of the bill, Rep. Maura Hirschauer, the fierce advocates, and the Gonzalez family for their relentless push to get this bill across the finish line. Our state is a better, safer place because of your efforts.”

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.

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

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