Latest news with #HouseBill4144
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Center for Prevention of Abuse CEO reacts to Karina's Law bill signing
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Victims and survivors of domestic violence now have another option to help protect themselves. On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4144 also known as Karina's Law, which allows law enforcement to confiscate firearms from people whose FOID card has been taken away due to the issuance of orders of protection. Pritzker signs 'Karina's law' to remove guns from domestic violence situations Carol Merna, CEO of the Center for Prevention of Abuse, remarked how monumental this bill is. 'It affects everyone,' she said. 'When we can provide a blanket response that's available to them through law enforcement, we know that it's something that's going to stick. We know that it's something that people are going to find deep comfort in.' The center has personnel at courthouses in Tazewell, Peoria and Woodford County who assist with filing orders of protection. Merna said that when someone files an order of protection with the court, there is an option for a firearm remedy, which will create a search warrant to have any firearms removed from the person filed against. Once the order of protection is filed, the court has 96 hours for the search warrant to be executed and remove the firearms. 'That emergency order of protection that people seek through at the Center for Prevention of Abuse is often the first step to leaving a very violent or abusive relationship,' Merna said. 'Whatever we can do to accommodate that survivor or that victim, we want them to know that we're here for them. We believe them, [and] to give them all the tools possible to say safe.' Merna says 54% of domestic-related homicides nationally involve a firearm. Jose Alvarez allegedly shot and killed his wife, Karina Gonzalez, and her daughter in July 2023, just weeks after she filed an order of protection against him Alvarez also allegedly shot their son, but he survived and voiced to have his mother remembered through this bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker signs ‘Karina's law' to remove guns from domestic violence situations
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — Karina Gonzalez and her 15-year-old daughter Daniela were shot and killed on Fourth of July weekend in 2023 at their Chicago home, allegedly by her husband. After more than a year of negotiations, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill in her honor Monday that is designed to remove guns from domestic violence situations. 'As I look forward towards the future, I hope that the future survivors won't have to suffer as much as our family and countless others have had to at the hands of abusers,' said Manny Alvarez, Gonzalez's surviving son, at a news conference in Chicago Monday. House Bill 4144, also known as Karina's Law, clarifies that local law enforcement must temporarily remove guns from a person who has an order of protection against them when the alleged victim successfully seeks firearm removal as a remedy in court. Current law allows people asking a court for an order of protection to request a 'firearm remedy' that would lead to law enforcement removing guns from the alleged abuser's possession. Karina's Law closes the loophole that made it unclear who was responsible for removing the gun from the situation. Under the law, the person who seeks an order of protection can also ask the court to issue a search warrant that will allow local law enforcement to seize firearms from the alleged abuser. The petitioner or state's attorney must demonstrate probable cause that the alleged abuser poses an immediate threat to the petitioner. Law enforcement would then be required to execute the warrant within 96 hours of it being issued. 'Taking lethal weapons from those who have already done harm and are an immediate and present danger to do further harm is simply common sense,' Pritzker said. Guns and domestic abuse are a deadly recipe, said Amanda Pyron, CEO of The Network, an advocacy group that focuses on preventing domestic violence. Between 2019 and 2023, Illinois saw a 63% increase in gun-related domestic violence deaths. 'An emergency order of protection is often the first step out of a violent relationship,' Pyron said. 'It can also be the most dangerous step. This is the time that a survivor faces the most risk because it's also the time that the abusive partner realizes he's losing control.' Supporters of the law said they hope closing the loophole will make it safer for victims when they seek a court's intervention. 'Karina's Law will protect survivors of domestic violence and give them comfort – the comfort of knowing that their abuser will not have easy access to firearms,' Pritzker said. Read more: Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated The nation's high court upheld a federal law last June that prohibits people with domestic violence-related restraining orders from having guns. Though Karina's Law had previously passed through the House last spring, senators delayed action while waiting for the decision. 'I was relieved when the court gave us far more elbow room than I would have expected to tackle this issue, and now we have, and we've done it in a matter that is effective and constitutional,' Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said. Read more: Lawmakers advance 'Karina's bill' to remove guns from domestic violence situations Though the bill received bipartisan support, some gun rights groups and Republican lawmakers expressed concerns the bill undermines due process afforded to people accused of crimes. They argued taking guns away from a person with an order of protection against them assumes guilt on criminal charges and violates their constitutional rights. Orders of protection are filed in civil court. 'This policy sends a clear message to those living through trauma and the terror of domestic violence,' Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, said. 'Here in Illinois, we see you. You have the absolute right to leave your abuser and we will do our best to keep you and your family safe. And most importantly, here in Illinois, we value your life and the life of your families more than we value your abuser's gun.' Illinois law enforcement organizations also had concerns about their ability to carry out the law, including where police agencies would store the confiscated firearms and the logistics of carrying out search warrants against alleged abusers. Law enforcement organizations and lawmakers came to an agreement over those logistics. If a victim has not made any reports of domestic violence to police within the last three months, police will have 48 hours to research the situation behind the order of protection and make any changes to the search warrant. Warrants then must be executed within 96 hours of any changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois governor signs Karina's Law to protect victims of domestic violence
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Governor JB Pritzer has signed House Bill 4144, also known as Karina's Law, to improve protections for survivors of domestic violence in Illinois. Officials say the law would allow local law enforcement agencies to confiscate firearms from any person whose Firearm Owner Identification card has been revoked due to restraining orders. The law is named after Karina Gonzalez, an Illinois mother who was granted an order of protection against her husband, Jose Alvarez. Weeks later, Alvarez reportedly shot both her and their teenage daughter in July 2023. They say their son was also shot, survived and has lobbied for the General Assembly to pass the law in Karina's name. Governor Pritzker says they owe it to all the victims of domestic violence and their families to continue building as much support and protection for them. 'Protecting victims of domestic violence is a cause that's taking a giant leap forward today,' says Governor Pritzker. 'Karina's law will protect survivors of domestic violence and give them the comfort of knowing their abuser will not have easy access to firearms.' Illinois State Police Director Brandan Kelly says state police and their partners in local police are pushing hard to remove guns away from violent criminals. 'Karina's Law will be an important new tool to help us disrupt domestic violence that too often ends with a gun,' says Kelly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker signs ‘Katrina's Law', requiring cops to take guns in domestic violence cases
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) – Gov. JB Pritzker, on Monday, singed House Bill 4144, also known as Karina's Law, which requires local police agencies to confiscate firearms from anyone whose Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card has been revoked because they have a restraining order against them. The law is aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence. It is named for Karina Gonzalez, a mother who was granted an order of protection against her husband, Jose Alvarez, weeks before he fatally shot both her and their teenage daughter, Daniela, in July 2023. Alvarez also shot their son, Manny, who survived and lobbied for the General Assembly to pass the law in his mother's name. 'Protecting victims of domestic violence is a cause that's taking a giant leap forward today,' Pritzker said. 'Karina's law will protect survivors of domestic violence and give them the comfort of knowing their abuser will not have easy access to firearms. We owe it to Karina and Daniela — to Manny — and to all the victims and their families, to continue building all the support and protection that we can.' The law requires police remove firearms from any whose FOID is revoked within 96 hours of a judge issuing a search warrant, addressing the risks associated with firearms and domestic violence situations. 'Karina's law is a pivotal victory in the fight to protect Illinois' people from gun-related domestic violence. Above all, this bill is a testament to the voices of survivors and advocates who led their leaders toward new solutions,' said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. 'Karina and Daniela had dreams and aspirations beyond the violence in their home — their lives mattered, and they should be alive today. I thank every advocate and survivor for baring their hearts to inspire change.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
