Plain Language Summary
# Ethan's Law Summary **What the Bill Would Do** Ethan's Law would create federal rules requiring gun owners to safely store firearms in homes where children might access them without permission or where someone ineligible to own guns lives. The bill would make unsafe storage a criminal offense, with penalties including possible seizure of the firearm. Additionally, it would provide federal grant money to states and tribal governments to establish and enforce similar safe storage requirements. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects gun owners with children in their households or who live with people prohibited from owning firearms (such as those with felony convictions). It would also impact state and local law enforcement agencies, which could receive federal funding to implement and enforce safe storage laws.
The bill establishes criminal penalties for violations and allows authorities to confiscate improperly stored firearms. **Current Status** As of now, Ethan's Law (S. 726) remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. The bill was introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Ethan's Law This bill establishes a framework to regulate the storage of firearms on residential premises at the federal, state, and tribal levels. At the federal level, the bill establishes statutory requirements for firearms on residential premises to be safely stored if a minor is likely to gain access without permission or if a resident is ineligible to possess a firearm. An individual who violates the requirements is subject to criminal penalties. A firearm stored in violation of the requirements is subject to seizure and forfeiture. At the state and tribal levels, the bill requires the Department of Justice to award grants to implement functionally identical requirements for the safe storage of firearms.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.