Bill
Bill > SB368
summary
Introduced
07/09/2025
07/09/2025
In Committee
07/09/2025
07/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits a person from storing or leaving a firearm at his or her residence if the person resides with a child who is under the age of 18, or knows a child who is under the age of 18 will be present in the residence, unless the firearm is in a securely locked box or container or other secure locked location or has a trigger lock engaged. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class I felony for a subsequent offense. This prohibition replaces the current law that penalizes a person who recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm within reach of a child who is under 14 if the child obtains it and does one of the following: 1) discharges the firearm and causes bodily harm or death (Class A misdemeanor); or 2) possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or endangers public safety (Class C misdemeanor). Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report. LRB-3494/1 CMH:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 368
AI Summary
This bill introduces new legal requirements for firearm storage in residences where children are present, replacing existing law with more comprehensive regulations. Under the proposed legislation, a person who lives with a child under 18 or knows a child will be present in their residence must store firearms in a securely locked box, container, or locked location that a reasonable person would consider secure, or use a trigger lock on the firearm. The law does not apply to individuals who are carrying the firearm. Violations of this storage requirement carry escalating penalties: a first offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, and subsequent offenses become a Class I felony. The bill also modifies related statutes to reference these new firearm storage requirements, including provisions that give district attorneys discretion in pursuing charges and law enforcement restrictions on immediate arrest when an accidental shooting involving a child occurs. This legislation aims to reduce the risk of accidental shootings and child access to unsecured firearms by mandating responsible storage practices.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (31)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Jeff Smith (D)*,
Clint Anderson (D),
Deb Andraca (D),
Margaret Arney (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Brienne Brown (D),
Angelina Cruz (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Kalan Haywood (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Tara Johnson (D),
Renuka Mayadev (D),
Greta Neubauer (D),
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Pricilla Prado (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Shelia Stubbs (D),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Angelito Tenorio (D),
Randy Udell (D),
Robyn Vining (D),
Last Action
Representative J. Jacobson added as a cosponsor (on 10/28/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb368 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB368.pdf |
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