Bill > SB133

This bill establishes the "responsible gun ownership act" which creates legal penalties for improperly storing firearms that are subsequently accessed or used by minors (persons under 18 years old). Under the law, a firearm is considered unsecured if it is not protected by a trigger lock, not stored in a securely locked container, or not placed in a location a reasonable person would consider secure from a minor. The bill outlines three levels of criminal charges based on how the unsecured firearm is used by a minor: a class C misdemeanor if the firearm is simply accessed, a severity level 9 person felony if the firearm is used to cause bodily harm to another person, and a severity level 5 person felony if the firearm is used to cause great bodily harm or death to another person. The law includes several exceptions, such as when the firearm is inoperable, within the owner's immediate control, accessed through unlawful entry, or used in lawful self-defense. The act is intended to be part of the Kansas criminal code and will take effect upon publication in the state statute book, aiming to encourage more responsible firearm storage and prevent minors from accessing potentially dangerous weapons.