This article highlights the passage of Karina’s Bill in Illinois, a legislative response to the tragic deaths of Karina Gonzalez and her 15-year-old daughter, Daniela, who were killed in 2023 by Gonzalez’s husband.
Despite Gonzalez filing for an order of protection, law enforcement failed to remove her husband’s firearms, contributing to the fatal incident.
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, mandates that local law enforcement must remove firearms from individuals who are subject to a protection order, addressing a gap in the existing law that did not specify who was responsible for firearm removal.
Additionally, the bill allows petitioners to request a search warrant for firearms confiscation within 96 hours, provided they demonstrate probable cause that the abuser poses an immediate threat.
Despite facing delays and concerns about the practical implementation of the law, including challenges in rural areas with limited resources, supporters emphasized the need for stronger protections for domestic violence victims. The bill is now awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature to become law.