Source: https://lawcenter.giffords.org/gun-laws/state-law/50-state-summaries/safe-storage-state-by-state/
Timestamp: 2019-11-14 01:06:42
Document Index: 78825377

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 41', '§ 29', '§ 790', '§ 790', '§ 790', '§ 37', '§ 31', '§ 28', '§ 28', '§ 62', '§ 62', '§ 62', '§ 2923', '§ 6142', '§ 6142', '§ 6118', '§ 6142']

Safe Storage: State by State | Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Safe Storage: State by State
Alabama law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies. Alabama also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Alaska has no laws regarding locking devices for firearms, although federal law applies.
Arizona does not require that locking devices be included with each firearm sold, although federal law applies.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 41-1967(E)(7), 41-1967.01(I). ⤴︎
Arkansas does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, and no state statutes require firearm owners to affirmatively lock their weapons.
In Connecticut, any person, firm or corporation engaging in the sale, other than at wholesale, of any handgun, must equip the handgun with a reusable trigger lock or gun locking device constructed of material sufficiently strong to prevent it from being easily disabled.1 The lock must also have a mechanism accessible by key or electronic or mechanical accessory specific to the device to prevent unauthorized removal.2 Federal law also applies. Handgun sellers must also provide the purchaser with a written warning stating that unlawful storage of a firearm may result in imprisonment or fine.3
Connecticut does not generally require firearm owners to lock their weapons. See Child Access Prevention in Connecticut for exceptions.
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-33(d), 29-37b. ⤴︎
Florida does not require that a locking device accompany the sale or transfer of a firearm. Nevertheless, any person who stores or leaves a loaded firearm on premises under his or her control, and knows or reasonably should know that a person under age 16 is likely to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor’s parent or without supervision required by law, must keep the firearm in a securely locked box or container or in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure, or secure the firearm with a trigger lock.1
Fla. Stat. § 790.174(1). Minor is defined as a person under age 16. Fla. Stat. § 790.174(3). See Fla. Stat. § 790.173 for background information about this law. ⤴︎
In 2006, Georgia created the Suicide Prevention Program to be managed by the injury prevention section of the Division of Public Health of the Georgia Department of Human Resources. As part of that law, Georgia recognized that, “In Georgia, three out of four suicide deaths involve a firearm.” The law requires the injury prevention section to, among other things, “Work with public officials to improve firearm safety.”1
Ga. Code Ann. § 37-1-27 (formerly § 31-2-9). ⤴︎
Locking Devices in Hawaii
Hawaii law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although Federal Law applies). Hawaii also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
For measures related to safe storage of firearms, see the Hawaii Child Access Prevention section.
Locking Devices in Idaho
Idaho does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although Federal Law applies). Idaho also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
For measures related to safe storage of firearms, see the Idaho Child Access Prevention section.
Locking Devices in Illinois
Illinois prohibits firearms dealers from selling or offering for sale a handgun unless the dealer includes with the handgun a device or mechanism, other than the firearm safety, designed to render the handgun temporarily inoperable or inaccessible.1 This may include an external device that is attached to the handgun with a key or combination lock, or an integrated mechanical safety, disabling or locking device. Federal law also applies. These requirements do not apply to sales by private sellers.2
720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/24-9.5(a). ⤴︎
Locking Devices in Indiana
Indiana does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, and no state statutes require firearm owners to affirmatively lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in Iowa
Iowa only penalizes the unsafe storage of firearms if a minor gains access to the firearm and exhibits it in a public place in an unlawful manner, or uses the firearm unlawfully to cause injury or death to any person.1 See the Iowa Child Access Prevention section for further information.
Locking Devices in Kansas
Kansas law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies) and Kansas law also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in Kentucky
Kentucky does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, and no state statutes require firearm owners to affirmatively lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in Louisiana
Louisiana law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies. Louisiana also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in Michigan
Michigan prohibits a federally licensed firearms dealer from selling a firearm unless the sale includes a commercially available:
Trigger lock or other device designed to disable and prevent the discharge of the firearm; or
Gun case or storage container that can be secured to prevent unauthorized access to the firearm.1
This law does not apply to law enforcement, any person who can establish that they have already purchased a qualifying trigger lock or gun case, or the sale of antique firearms.2
Michigan does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons, although administrative regulations may apply in certain locations.
Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 28.435(1). ⤴︎
Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 28.435(2). ⤴︎
Locking Devices in Minnesota
Minnesota does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies. Nor does Minnesota generally require firearm owners to lock their weapons. See Child Access Prevention in Minnesota for Minnesota’s law about the storage of firearms.
Locking Devices in Mississippi
Mississippi does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although Federal Law applies). Mississippi also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
For measures related to safe storage of firearms, see the Mississippi Child Access Prevention section.
See our Locking Devices policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue.https://lawcenter.giffords.org/wp-admin/edit.php
Locking Devices in Montana
Montana does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies), and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in Nebraska
Nebraska has no law requiring locking devices to accompany the sale or transfer of a firearm, although federal law applies.
Nebraska also has no law requiring firearm owners to utilize locking devices.
Locking Devices in Nevada
Nevada does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no laws regarding locking devices for firearms, although federal law applies.
Locking Devices in New Mexico
New Mexico does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies), and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in North Carolina
North Carolina does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although the federal law applies), and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in North Dakota
North Dakota law requires a person carrying a handgun that is not in plain view between the hours of one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset to carry it unloaded and “secured.” At other times (between the hours of one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise), any handgun that is being carried, even one that is in plain view, must be unloaded and “secured.”1
“Secured” means:
Closed into a trunk or non-passenger part of a vehicle;
Placed into a closed and secure carrying device;
Rendered inoperative by use of a trigger, hammer, cylinder, slide, or barrel-locking device that renders the firearm incapable of firing until the device is unlocked and removed; or
So disassembled or disabled as to be rendered incapable of firing.2
This requirement does not apply to concealed weapons licensees and certain other individuals.3 See the North Dakota Carrying Firearms section above for a complete list of exceptions. North Dakota has no law requiring firearms owners to lock their weapons while not in public.
N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-03-01(1). ⤴︎
N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-01-01(11). ⤴︎
N.D. Cent. Code § 62.1-03-01(2). ⤴︎
Locking Devices in Ohio
Ohio law provides that when selling any firearm, a federally licensed firearms dealer must offer for sale a trigger lock, gun lock, or gun locking device appropriate for the firearm being sold.1 Federal law is similar.
Ohio has no law requiring firearm owners to utilize locking devices.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2923.25. ⤴︎
Locking Devices in Oklahoma
Oklahoma does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies, and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
State administrative regulations may govern the storage of firearms in certain locations, however. See the Oklahoma Administrative Code for further information.
Locking Devices in Oregon
Oregon does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies. Oregon law also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
State administrative regulations may, however, govern the storage of firearms in certain locations.
Locking Devices in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law prohibits a licensed firearms dealer from transferring a handgun or short-barreled rifle or shotgun unless he or she provides the transferee with a locking device, the transferee purchases a locking device, or the design of the handgun incorporates a locking device.1 “Locking device” is defined as either: 1) a device that, when installed on a firearm, is designed to prevent the firearm from being operated without first deactivating the device; or 2) a device that is incorporated into the design of a firearm and that is designed to prevent the operation of the firearm by anyone not having access to the device.2
Note that federal law contains a similar provision.
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6142. This section does not apply to transfers to law enforcement or among licensed dealers. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6142(a)-(b). Nor does it apply to transfers of “antique firearms,” which generally includes firearms manufactured on or before 1898, or those with a matchlock, flintlock or percussion cap type of ignition system, or any replica of such firearms. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6118. ⤴︎
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6142(f). ⤴︎
Locking Devices in Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires all licensed retail dealers to provide a trigger lock or other safety device when delivering a handgun to a purchaser.1 Federal law also applies.
Rhode Island does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in South Carolina
South Carolina law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although the federal law applies). South Carolina law also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
See our Safe Storage and Locking Devices policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue.
Locking Devices in South Dakota
South Dakota law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies). Nor does South Dakota law require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in Tennessee
Tennessee does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies), and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
State administrative regulations may govern the storage of firearms in certain locations.
Locking Devices in Texas
Texas law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies). Nor does Texas law require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in the District of Columbia
For sound public safety purposes, the District of Columbia has established a strong, yet non-binding, policy that each firearm registrant should keep any firearm in his or her possession unloaded and either disassembled or secured by a trigger lock, gun safe, locked box, or other secure device.1
The District does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies.
Locking Devices in Utah
Utah does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies), and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
State regulations may govern the safe storage of firearms in certain locations.
Locking Devices in Virginia
Virginia law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although the federal law applies). Virginia law also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons, although it is unlawful for any person to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb of any child under the age of 14.1 State administrative regulations may also govern the secure control of firearms in certain locations.
Locking Devices in Washington
Washington does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies, and beginning July 1, 2019 dealers must offer to sell or provide a lock with every firearm sale or transfer and to post a warning that criminal liability may result from storing a firearm unlocked.1 No state statutes require firearm owners to affirmatively lock their weapons.
State administrative regulations may impose locking device or other safe storage requirements.
Washington initiative measure 1639. ⤴︎
Locking Devices in West Virginia
West Virginia does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies), and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Locking Devices in Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not require that locking devices be included with each firearm sold, although federal law applies.
Wisconsin also does not require firearm owners to utilize locking devices. See the Wisconsin Child Access Prevention section, however, for information regarding the use of locking devices as a means of avoiding liability for unauthorized firearm use by children.
Locking Devices in Wyoming
Wyoming does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm (although federal law applies), and no state statutes require firearm owners to lock their weapons.
Safe Storage and Gun Locks in Colorado
Colorado law does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, although federal law applies to handgun sales by dealers. Colorado also does not require firearm owners to lock their weapons, and Colorado’s child access prevention law is not as strong as the law in many other states.
See our Safe Storage and Gun Locks policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue.