Kane County Health Department

​​​​

Safe Firearm Storage

The Kane County Health Department is committed to helping gun owners store their firearms securely to help keeep our community safe. We offer free cable gun locks and biometric gun safes while supplies last.​

Secure firearm storage is a public health issue. ​​

Access to firearms can increase the risk of injury and death for firearm owners, other household members, and our community.​

  • Prevent unintentional shootings: Secure storage reduces the chance that a child or other unauthorized person will handle a firearm.
  • Reduce suicide risk: Keeping a firearm inaccessible during a crisis can create time and distance between a person and a highly lethal means.
  • Protect other household members: Children, visitors, and people who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms may otherwise gain access.
  • Prevent theft and misuse: Stolen firearms can enter illegal circulation.​

Free Gun Barrel Safes

Free gun barrel locks are available in the lobby of our Aurora and Elgin offices, Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm:lock safe.png

  • ​​1240 N. Highland Avenue, Aurora
  • 2170 Point Blvd, Elgin
Gun retailers may obtain gun locks to make available at no charge to customers purchasing firearms, and organizations can help distribute gun locks by emailing: askus@kanecountyil.gov​

​Read and follow the instructions that come with the gun lock on how to use the lock the right way. View a video of how gun locks work from the​ Minnesota Department of Public Safety.​​

The locks, provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health, are part of the “Firearm Safe Storage Strategies” initiative. ​The initiative aims to prevent accidents, gun violence, theft, and suicide. Locks come with installation instructions and information about the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline​.​


Safe Gun Storage Act​

As of January 1, 2026, Illinois has a statewide Safe Gun Storage Act that substantially tightened firearm-storage requirements.

​Safe Storage

  • ​Guns must be kept in a locked container or secured with a device to prevent access by minors, individuals at risk of harming themselves or others, or anyone prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Lost or Stolen Firearms

  • Must report to police within 48 hours.
  • Fines: Up to $500 if an unauthorized person gains access; $1,000 if it’s a minor or prohibited person; $10,000 if the gun is later used in a crime.

Enhanced Firearm Tracing
  • Police must trace all firearms to combat illegal trafficking.
  • Gun dealers must run background checks and confirm firearms aren’t reported stolen before any purchase or transfer.

FOID & Concealed Carry

  • ​Cards can be revoked for repeated reporting failures, restored after diversion for some first-time offenders, and suspended if someone is deemed a danger.

Please contact Elizabeth Nunez at nunezelizabeth@kanecountyil.gov to ask about our secure firearm storage. 


Responsible and Secure Gun Storage Checklist

  • ​Ensure guns are unloaded before storing 
  • Store guns correctly locked in a lock box, gun safe, or with a trigger lock, or cable lock 
  • Store ammunition separately, safely, & securely
  • Secure keys for locking devices where unauthorized persons don't have access 
  • Store guns responsibly and securely at all times when not in use, even when transporting outside the home
  • Ensure unauthorized persons do not have access to stored guns no matter where the firearm is located at all times​​

​Resources​

​​


​
​