Bill > HB134

This bill introduces the Alaska Child Access Prevention and Secure Storage of Firearms Act, which expands existing weapons misconduct laws to include two key provisions. First, it amends the fourth-degree misconduct involving weapons statute to add a new offense: if a person violates firearm storage requirements (AS 11.61.225) and, as a result, an individual under 18 years of age or a "prohibited person" (someone legally banned from firearm possession) uses the firearm to commit a crime or cause injury. Second, the bill establishes a new sixth-degree weapons misconduct offense that makes it illegal to keep a firearm unsecured when an owner knows or should reasonably know that a minor or prohibited person could access it. Specifically, the law requires firearms to be secured in a locked container, with a gun lock, or rendered inaccessible when not directly controlled by the owner. A violation of this new provision is considered a violation punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. The bill defines key terms like "authorized person," "control," and "locked container" to provide clarity, and it applies to offenses committed on or after the law's effective date, with the overall aim of preventing unauthorized access to firearms by minors and prohibited persons.

Government Affairs

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB134