Bill > SB770

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to establish new requirements and penalties related to firearm storage and access by minors. The legislation requires gun owners to securely store firearms in a locked box or container, or in a location a reasonable person would consider secure, if they know or should know a minor might access the weapon without parental permission. Violations are graded with escalating penalties: first offenses are summary offenses with no imprisonment, while second or subsequent offenses become misdemeanors. If a minor uses an improperly secured firearm to commit a crime or cause serious injury or death, the gun owner can be charged with a third-degree felony. The bill provides several defenses, including secure storage, unlawful entry by another person, official duties, adult-supervised activities, and firearms carried on the owner's body. Additionally, the law mandates that firearms retailers post a conspicuous warning about the legal consequences of improper firearm storage. For summary offenses, the bill requires the defendant to be fingerprinted, and the Pennsylvania State Police will check for prior convictions to determine the appropriate offense grading. The new law will take effect 60 days after passage.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=770