Safe storage law

[Woody]

I was thinking today about the safe storage law and wondered how it applies to being in a vehicle with a child in the car? I haven’t read the law word for word but what I have read doesn’t address being present with a firearm near by with a child also nearby specifically circumstances such as a very young baby that is physically incapable of doing much, and if there is any difference in terms of transporting a firearm vs having a CCL and not having the firearm on your person in the vehicle? 

[Euler]

The safe storage law applies to storage on premises. Your vehicle is not premises.

However, you should still store your firearm responsibly. You probably don't want to become one of many stories about a kid finding a firearm in a seat pocket, e.g.

[Smallbore]

On 3/20/2026 at 5:54 PM, Euler said:

The safe storage law applies to storage on premises. Your vehicle is not premises.

However, you should still store your firearm responsibly. You probably don't want to become one of many stories about a kid finding a firearm in a seat pocket, e.g.

I can't help but ask if there is an Illinois statute defining "premises"?

[Euler]

Hmm...

430 ILCS 64 said:

...
Sec. 10. Penalties; violations.
(a) In this Act:
...
"Premises" includes any land, building, structure, vehicle, or place directly or indirectly under the control of the firearm owner.
...

If you're currently driving the vehicle (i.e., it's not parked on your land, etc.), I would think it's non-obvious that a vehicle is "premises." Nevertheless ...

430 ILCS 64 said:

...
Sec. 5. Storage of firearms. ... If the firearm is carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user, then the firearm is deemed lawfully stored or kept. ...

[Smallbore]

I guess the next question would be case law and how anti 2a prosecutors think?

[Woody]

Hmm, be interesting to find out what they consider “under your control” 

[John Q Public]

@Woody, yes, there are many of those built in to almost all BS laws, terms like, "Reasonable person," "Under your control," it goes on and on and the take away is, whatever the heck we say it means, depending on the venue where we try and enforce it. It's completely subjective and intentional.  

 

At this point, I'm getting too old to give a...  I will do my thing, and be honorable to my people and the 2nd, and all the rest is noise.

 

JQ

[sctman800]

   Get the child a FOID.   im.

[John Q Public]

On 3/29/2026 at 6:12 AM, sctman800 said:

   Get the child a FOID.   im.

While you still can, but even that is subject to the, 'reasonable person."  It goes like this, even if you under 14 year old has a FOID, it is reasonable to assume friends, or others, at that age would not have a FOID, so it needs to be locked up. Furthermore, all that goes out the windows these days when they will try and prosecute whomever even lawful. Just say'n.
 

JQ