Gun owners in Cook County will now face fines if they don't promptly file a report with authorities if their gun is lost or stolen.
Under the ordinance passed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, gun owners have 48 hours to notify the sheriff's department of the make, model and serial number of lost, stolen, sold, transferred or destroyed firearms.
Fines are $1,000 for the first violation, $1,500 for each gun on the second offense and $2,000 after that.
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle introduced the measure. It's part of an effort to crack down on straw purchasers, or those who buy guns legally and provide the weapons to people can't legally possess them.
"This ordinance is an important step to ensure that guns purchased legally do not wind up in the hands of criminals," Preckwinkle said after commissioners approved the measure.
The law goes into effect in August.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police Supt. Garry McCarthy are pushing for a similar measure in the city, including jail time for violators.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
