Partners for Our Children

HB 1747 establishes standard for the responsible storage of firearms to reduce accidental gun injury and death of young children who are gaining access to unsafely stored guns, to reduce adolescent suicide, and to prevent youth from accessing unsafely stored firearms that cause harm in the community.

The bill states that a person who stores or leaves a firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should know, that a child is likely to gain access is guilty of child endangerment in the first degree if a child obtains access and possession of the firearm and the child causes personal injury or death with the firearm. The bill goes on to state that a person is guilty of child endangerment in the second degree if a child obtains access and possession and the child causes the firearm to discharge; exhibits the firearm in a public place, or in an angry, threatening or careless manner; or uses the firearm to commit a crime.

Exceptions to the above are identified, such as if the gun is stored in a locked box, gun safe, or other secure locked storage space or under several additional circumstances. HB 1747 allows prosecutors to decline to prosecute, even though there is sufficient evidence to do so, in situations where prosecution would serve no public purpose, would degree the purpose of the law or would result in decreased respect for the law.

The bill also directs those selling firearms to sell or give away a locked box, a lock or a device that prevents the firearm from discharging. Every store where firearms are sold must also post a warning sign about the law.