H.R. 6370House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 8:47 AM UTC

The Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act would amend federal law to make it a crime for a firearm owner to store a gun in a way that a minor could access it without permission, if the minor later uses the gun in a crime or causes injury or death. The rule applies to owners of guns that have entered interstate or foreign commerce and affects anyone who keeps a gun in a home where minors live. An exception is allowed if the gun is stored in a secure device or location that a reasonable person would consider safe, or if the owner carries the gun on their person. Violations can result in fines and up to five years in prison.

Key Provisions

Creates an offense for knowingly storing a firearm where a minor is likely to gain access and later uses it in a crime or causes injury/death.
Provides an exception if the firearm is kept in a secure storage device, in a location a reasonable person would deem secure, or is carried on the person’s body.
Sets penalties of a fine, up to five years imprisonment, or both for violations.
Defines “minor” as any individual under 18 years of age.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 10, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

January 10, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 10, 2022

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6370

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 10, 2022

Ms. Slotkin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require the safe storage of firearms, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act.

Secure gun storage or safety device

Section 922(z) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Secure gun storage by owners

(A)

Offense

(i)

In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), it shall be unlawful for a person to knowingly store or keep any firearm that has moved in, or that has otherwise affected, interstate or foreign commerce on the premises of a residence under the control of the person if—

(I)

the person knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the parent or guardian of the minor; and

(II)

a minor obtains the firearm and uses the firearm in the commission of a crime or causes injury or death to such minor, or any other individual.

(ii)

Exception

Clause (i) shall not apply to a person if the person—

(I)

keeps the firearm—

(aa)

secure using a secure gun storage or safety device; or

(bb)

in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or

(II)

carries the firearm on his or her person or within such close proximity thereto that the person can readily retrieve and use the firearm as if the person carried the firearm on his or her person.

(B)

Penalty

Whoever violates subparagraph (A) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

(C)

Minor defined

In this paragraph, the term minor means an individual who is less than 18 years of age.