Legal Definitions - safe-storage statute

Definition: A safe-storage statute is a law that makes it illegal for individuals to leave firearms unattended in places where children can easily access them. This law is also known as a child-access prevention statute.

Examples:

• A father leaves his loaded gun on the kitchen table while he goes to run errands. His young child finds the gun and accidentally shoots themselves. This would be a violation of a safe-storage statute.
• A gun owner keeps their firearms locked in a safe when they are not in use. This is an example of following a safe-storage statute.

The examples illustrate how a safe-storage statute is designed to prevent accidental shootings involving children. By requiring gun owners to store their firearms in a secure location, the law aims to reduce the risk of children accessing and mishandling guns.