Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 4225
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4225Crime and Law Enforcement
Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act
INTRO JUN 27· LAST ACTION JUN 27
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters to voters because it directly addresses concerns about gun safety and preventing accidental shootings, especially involving children. If it becomes law, it would create new federal rules for how firearms are stored and how children can possess handguns. This means gun owners would have a legal obligation to secure their weapons, which supporters argue could significantly reduce injuries and deaths from unattended firearms.
Without this bill, federal law doesn't broadly mandate secure gun storage, and while many states have their own laws, this would create a national standard. It also establishes clear consequences – fines and a temporary ban on gun purchases – for failing to secure firearms, adding a significant incentive for compliance. For parents and communities, the grant program offers a way to increase awareness and education about safe gun practices, which could help prevent tragedies.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires parents or guardians to have actual knowledge that a juvenile's possession or use of a handgun will be under the active supervision of a qualified adult before giving written consent.
This aims to ensure children are never allowed unsupervised access to handguns, even with parental permission, thereby increasing child safety.
PROVISION 02
Makes it unlawful for gun owners to keep, leave, or store any unsecured firearm (one not secured by a device) unless it is being carried or is within immediate reach.
This establishes a federal mandate for secure gun storage, aiming to prevent unauthorized access and accidental shootings.
PROVISION 03
Establishes civil penalties for violating secure gun storage requirements, with fines up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for subsequent offenses.
These penalties create a direct financial consequence for gun owners who fail to secure their firearms.
PROVISION 04
Prohibits individuals who have been assessed a civil penalty for an unsecured firearm violation within the preceding five years from purchasing new firearms.
This adds a significant consequence, temporarily restricting gun ownership for those who repeatedly or seriously violate storage rules.
PROVISION 05
Creates a federal grant program for eligible local educational agencies to provide parents with educational materials and information sessions on gun safety and the importance of secure gun storage.
This provides resources for communities to educate parents on safe gun practices, complementing the regulatory changes.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters to voters because it directly addresses concerns about gun safety and preventing accidental shootings, especially involving children. If it becomes law, it would create new federal rules for how firearms are stored and how children can possess handguns. This means gun owners would have a legal obligation to secure their weapons, which supporters argue could significantly reduce injuries and deaths from unattended firearms.
Without this bill, federal law doesn't broadly mandate secure gun storage, and while many states have their own laws, this would create a national standard. It also establishes clear consequences – fines and a temporary ban on gun purchases – for failing to secure firearms, adding a significant incentive for compliance. For parents and communities, the grant program offers a way to increase awareness and education about safe gun practices, which could help prevent tragedies.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires parents or guardians to have actual knowledge that a juvenile's possession or use of a handgun will be under the active supervision of a qualified adult before giving written consent.
This aims to ensure children are never allowed unsupervised access to handguns, even with parental permission, thereby increasing child safety.
high
Makes it unlawful for gun owners to keep, leave, or store any unsecured firearm (one not secured by a device) unless it is being carried or is within immediate reach.
This establishes a federal mandate for secure gun storage, aiming to prevent unauthorized access and accidental shootings.
med
Establishes civil penalties for violating secure gun storage requirements, with fines up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for subsequent offenses.
These penalties create a direct financial consequence for gun owners who fail to secure their firearms.
high
Prohibits individuals who have been assessed a civil penalty for an unsecured firearm violation within the preceding five years from purchasing new firearms.
This adds a significant consequence, temporarily restricting gun ownership for those who repeatedly or seriously violate storage rules.
med
Creates a federal grant program for eligible local educational agencies to provide parents with educational materials and information sessions on gun safety and the importance of secure gun storage.
This provides resources for communities to educate parents on safe gun practices, complementing the regulatory changes.
Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act
Attorney General to promulgate rules for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to deny transfers to those with secure storage penalties and for licensed dealers to provide notice of secure storage penalties.
Not later than 180 days before the first grant is awarded under this section
Secretary of Education to issue guidance on best practices for keeping children secure from guns and for age-appropriate gun safety education for parents by local educational agencies.
Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter
Attorney General to submit a written report to Congress on the implementation of the Act, including a disaggregation of the application of the amendments to individuals by sex, race, age, ethnicity, national origin, and English language proficiency.
A person who commits a 1st violation of secure gun storage requirements (Section 922(z))
civil
Not more than $5,000
A person who commits a 2nd or subsequent violation of secure gun storage requirements (Section 922(z))
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Juvenile
A person under the age of 18, or the age defined as an adult by specific state laws.
Firearm
A weapon that fires a projectile, such as a gun or rifle.
Handgun
A small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
Unsecured Firearm
A gun that is not stored with a safety device, such as a lock, or in a secure container.
Civil Money Penalty
A fine imposed by a government agency for a violation of a law or regulation, which is not a criminal charge.
Private Right of Action
The ability of an individual to sue another person or entity in court for breaking a law, even if the government is not prosecuting them.
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
A federal system used by licensed gun dealers to check if someone is legally allowed to buy a gun.
Local Educational Agency (LEA)
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JUN 27, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JUN 27, 25
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
