Bill > HB1

This bill, known as the Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act, establishes new legal requirements for firearm storage to prevent children from accessing loaded firearms. The bill defines a child as anyone under 18 years old and creates a misdemeanor offense for adults who negligently allow children to access readily dischargeable firearms (loaded guns) by failing to secure them or leaving them in places where children can easily reach them. The law provides some exceptions, such as supervised hunting or sporting activities, lawful self-defense, or situations where a child accesses a firearm by illegally entering a property. If a child discharges a firearm and causes death or serious injury to themselves or another person, the gun owner can be charged with a high and aggravated misdemeanor. The bill also requires firearm dealers to display a prominent warning sign about the illegality of storing unsecured firearms where children can access them, with violation of this requirement also being a high and aggravated misdemeanor. Notably, for family members involved in incidents where a child discharges a firearm causing death or serious injury, there is a seven-day grace period before an arrest can be made.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69281