Overview

• Karina’s Law officially took effect on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, following its signing by Gov. JB Pritzker in February.
• The legislation requires law enforcement to confiscate firearms from individuals accused of domestic violence within 96 hours of a protective order being issued.
• Judges are now empowered to issue search-and-seizure warrants for firearms in domestic violence cases to ensure compliance with the law.
• The law honors Karina Gonzalez, who was fatally shot by her husband in 2023, along with her 15-year-old daughter; her surviving son, Manny Alvarez, has become an advocate for domestic violence reform.
• Domestic violence advocates highlight the elevated risk of homicide posed by firearms, with statistics showing a 500% increased risk for women when a gun is present in the home.