Illinois Sees Significant Drop in Firearms Stolen from Dealers, Says State Police

The Illinois State Police (ISP) has announced a dramatic decline in firearms stolen from Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealers across the state.

According to a recent report, thefts dropped by 80% in 2024 compared to 2023, and by an impressive 92% since 2022.

This significant progress follows the implementation of the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act, passed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2019.

The legislation required all FFL dealers to install video security systems by January 2021.

To enforce compliance, ISP began conducting inspections in 2022, ensuring that certified dealers adhered to the mandate.

Since then, thefts of firearms from dealers have sharply decreased, reflecting the effectiveness of the inspections.

“Stemming the flow of stolen guns used in crime is one way we are fighting gun violence,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly in a press release.

This announcement comes on the heels of ISP’s release of 2024 interstate-shooting data, which revealed a 31% decrease in shootings compared to the previous year.

The decline in stolen firearms is being hailed as a key step in reducing gun violence, as stolen guns are often used in criminal activities.

The ISP’s continued focus on enforcing firearm regulations aims to ensure further progress in enhancing public safety statewide.