Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act
Sponsored By: Representative Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
Introduced
Summary
Secure gun storage would be enforced more strictly and parental written consent for juvenile handgun possession would be limited to reduce children's access to guns. The bill also creates civil penalties, a private right of action, and school grant funding for safe-storage education.
Show full summary
- Families and children: Would limit when a parent or guardian may give written consent for a juvenile to possess a handgun to situations where the parent actually knows the possession will occur in the presence and active supervision of a legally eligible adult.
- Gun owners and sellers: Would make it unlawful to keep an unsecured firearm that moved in or affected interstate commerce unless carried or within immediate reach. It would create a private right to sue for injuries and set civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first violation and up to $5,000 for repeat violations, and it would require rulemaking to block transfers and notify buyers after civil penalties.
- Schools and local education agencies: Would create a competitive Department of Education grant program for LEAs in states with similar secure-storage laws to give parents gun-safety materials, run public sessions, and monitor outreach activities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Victims could sue over unsecured guns
If enacted, people hurt by an unsecured gun could sue in federal court. Family or an estate could sue if the person died. You could sue the violator or the person who controls the place if they knew or should have known about the unsecured gun. Courts could award compensatory and punitive money and order fixes; all defendants would be jointly and severally liable. For insurance policies signed after enactment, a violation would not be treated as intentional by itself, and state-law claims would still be allowed.
New secure gun storage rules and fines
If enacted, gun owners would need to lock firearms or keep them very close at hand. Keeping an unsecured gun would be unlawful unless you carry it or can immediately reach it. After notice and a chance to be heard, fines could be up to $1,000 for a first violation and up to $5,000 for later violations. If you are fined, you could be blocked from buying firearms for 5 years. Within 6 months, the Attorney General would set rules so background checks deny these transfers and dealers give buyers notice.
School grants to teach gun safety
If enacted, school districts in states with secure storage laws could compete for grants to teach gun safety. Grants could fund parent materials, public info sessions, or staff to run the program. The Education Secretary would issue best-practice guidance at least 180 days before the first awards.
Stricter parental consent for juvenile handguns
If enacted, parents could give written consent for a juvenile to have a handgun only in tighter cases. The parent would need actual knowledge the child will be in the presence of, and actively supervised by, a lawful adult. The supervising adult must be allowed under law to possess a firearm.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov