Illinois 2026: Firearm Safety Education Bills in Gun Violence Prevention Committee

What the Bills Would Do

HB5320 — Education/Gun Owner Firearm Safety: Would establish a firearm safety education program for gun owners, potentially integrated with the FOID application or renewal process. The bill has been assigned to the Gun Violence Prevention Committee as of March 4, 2026^[1]. This is distinct from the HB2406 safety course requirement (which would make a course mandatory for FOID eligibility); HB5320 may take an educational rather than mandatory approach.

HB1790 — Income Tax Credit for Firearm Safety: Would create an income tax credit for Illinois residents who complete a qualified firearm safety course. The bill had House Committee Amendment No. 1 referred to the Revenue and Finance Committee on February 11, 2026^[2], indicating active committee work. By providing a financial incentive rather than a mandate, this bill takes a carrot rather than stick approach to firearm safety training.

Current Status

Both bills have active committee assignments. HB5320 is in the Gun Violence Prevention Committee, while HB1790 is in Revenue and Finance — its assignment to a fiscal committee rather than a firearms committee reflects the tax credit mechanism. The income tax credit approach (HB1790) has historically found more bipartisan support than mandatory training requirements.

What to Watch

These bills represent two different philosophical approaches to the same problem: insufficient safety training among gun owners. The mandatory education approach (HB5320) follows the model of states like California, which requires a Firearm Safety Certificate. The tax credit approach (HB1790) follows the model of states that incentivize rather than require training. Gun rights organizations generally oppose mandates but support incentives. The outcome of these bills may signal which approach Illinois will ultimately pursue as the legislature continues to build out its firearms regulatory framework.