Secure Gun Storage
Secure Gun Storage
What does this solve?
Gun owners can make their homes and communities safer by storing their guns securely. This means storing them unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.
Research shows secure storage practices play a vital role in reducing the risk of gun violence. Storing firearms securely protects children and adults by preventing unintentional shootings, gun suicides, and gun theft.
How it Works
Secure storage prevents shootings by disrupting unauthorized access to firearms.
Many states and Washington, DC, as well as several cities including New York and San Francisco, have enacted gun storage laws that hold gun owners accountable when children can or do access an unsecured gun. The strongest systems have consequences for any failure to secure a gun. Less-strong policies, sometimes called “Child-Access Prevention (CAP) laws,” penalize gun owners only if a child actually gains access to a firearm. While some state laws are concerned only with the threat of child access, others also include consequences if an un-secure gun is likely to be obtained by an adult who is legally prohibited from possession.
Public awareness is also critical to ensuring that guns are stored securely. Everytown’s Be SMART campaign is one of many models that can be used by public officials and members of the community to build awareness of the importance of secure firearm storage.
School districts across the country have also taken action by passing resolutions to require that information be sent home with students to educate parents about the importance of securely storing any firearms they own.1Students Demand Action, “Urge Your School Board to Act on School Safety,” January 26, 2022, https://studentsdemandaction.org/report/urge-your-school-board-to-act-on-school-safety/. And in 2022, California became the first state in the country to enact a statewide secure storage notification policy.2Everytown for Gun Safety, ”Following Tireless Advocacy by California Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action, California Legislature Passes Groundbreaking Gun Violence Prevention Bills,” press release, August 9, 2022, https://www.everytown.org/press/following-tireless-advocacy-by-california-moms-demand-action-students-demand-action-california-legislature-passes-groundbreaking-gun-violence-prevention-bills/.
We are all safer when guns are stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition. One study found that households that locked both firearms and ammunition were associated with a 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and an 85 percent lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens, compared to those that locked neither.3David C. Grossman et al., “Gun Storage Practices and Risk of Youth Suicide and Unintentional Firearm Injuries,” JAMA 293, no. 6 (2005): 707–14, https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.293.6.707. Another estimated that if half of households with children that have at least one unlocked gun switched to locking all their guns, one-third of youth gun suicides and unintentional deaths could be prevented, saving an estimated 251 lives in a single year.4Michael C. Monuteaux et al., “Association of Increased Safe Household Firearm Storage with Firearm Suicide and Unintentional Death Among US Youths,” JAMA Pediatrics 173, no. 7 (2019): 657–62, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.1078.
By the numbers
54%
An estimated 54 percent of gun owners don’t lock all of their guns securely.
360
Every year, nearly 360 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else.
4.6M
4.6 million children in the US live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded firearm.
76%
The US Secret Service found that roughly three-quarters of school shooters acquired their firearm from the home of a parent or close relative.
UNLOAD, LOCK, AND SEPARATE
Assume children and teens can find guns. Store firearms unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition.
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
26 states have adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Alabama has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Alaska has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Arizona has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Arkansas has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
California has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- Any time not in owner’s immediate control
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Colorado has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- When child may or is likely to access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Connecticut has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- Any time not in owner’s immediate control
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Delaware has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Florida has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 16
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Georgia has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Hawaii has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Idaho has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Illinois has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 14
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Indiana has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Iowa has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 14
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Kansas has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Kentucky has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Louisiana has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Maine has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 16
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Maryland has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- When child may or is likely to access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Massachusetts has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- Any time not in owner’s immediate control
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Michigan has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Minnesota has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- When child may or is likely to access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Mississippi has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Missouri has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Montana has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Nebraska has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Nevada has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- When child may or is likely to access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
New Hampshire has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 16
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
New Jersey has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 16
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
New Mexico has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
New York has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- When child may or is likely to access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 16
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
North Carolina has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
North Dakota has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Ohio has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Oklahoma has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Oregon has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- Any time not in owner’s immediate control
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Pennsylvania has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Rhode Island has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- Any time not in owner’s immediate control
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
South Carolina has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
South Dakota has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Tennessee has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Texas has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 17
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Utah has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Vermont has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Virginia has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- When child may or is likely to access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 14
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Washington has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 18
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- Yes
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
West Virginia has not adopted this policy
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Wisconsin has adopted this policy
- When does the law apply?
- After child gains access
- How does the state define child?
- Under 14
- Does the state law require storage to prevent access by other prohibited people?
- No
Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required
Wyoming has not adopted this policy
Myth & Fact
Myth
Storage devices defeat the purpose of owning a gun by putting barriers between the gun owner and their means of defense.
Fact
Featured Resources
Be SMART
The Be SMART campaign raises awareness about how secure gun storage can save children’s lives.
Gun Thefts from Cars: The Largest Source of Stolen Guns
Gun thefts from cars are the largest source of stolen guns—one that continues rising in parallel with rates of gun sales and violence.
The Rise of Firearm Suicide Among Young Americans
Firearm suicide is having a devastating impact on American youth, particularly during COVID-19. But suicide can be prevented.
Guide to Secure Gun Storage Devices
Secure gun storage can prevent theft and access by children, unauthorized users, and anyone who may pose a danger to themself or others.
Preventable Tragedies: Unintentional Shootings by Children
Unintentional shootings by children are a persistent, yet preventable, tragedy that disproportionately involves preschool and teenage boys.
Not An Accident: Unintentional Shootings by Children
Every year, hundreds of children unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else after accessing unsecured guns. This is not an accident.
Unload, Lock, and Separate: Secure Gun Storage Practices to Reduce Violence
Secure gun storage practices should include unloading the ammunition, locking the gun, and storing it and ammunition in separate locations.
Stolen Guns Pose a Tremendous Risk to Public Safety
Thousands of guns are stolen every year and often wind up at crime scenes. Stolen guns pose a tremendous risk to public safety.
All Resources
Secure Gun Storage
All Resources
The Transition to Civilian Life: A Critical Moment for Gun Suicide Prevention Education
The Transition Assistance Program is a prime opportunity to share secure storage information with new veterans to prevent gun suicide.
Everytown Research & Policy
Gun Violence Is Down in Our Cities. Why Not Also in Our Schools?
Report
Dual Tragedies: Domestic Homicide-Suicides with a Firearm
Guns are the centerpiece of the dual tragedies of intimate partner homicide and suicide. We must reduce abusers’ access to guns.
Report
Those Who Serve: Addressing Firearm Suicide Among Military Veterans
Veterans are more likely than the general population to die by suicide. We must address the role of guns in this preventable crisis.
Report
New Data, Same Conclusion: Smart Gun Laws Save Lives
Everytown's Gun Law Rankings show a clear correlation between states with strong gun laws and lower rates of gun violence.
Everytown Research & Policy
Findings from the #NotAnAccident Index, 2015–2021 (Injury Epidemiology)
This study published in Injury Epidemiology assesses the scope of unintentional shootings by children in the US.
ReportTwo Decades of Suicide Prevention Laws: Lessons from National Leaders in Gun Safety Policy
In order to understand the variability in state-level firearm suicide rates, Everytown has examined the role of state gun safety policies.
Everytown Research & Policy
How Can We Prevent Gun Violence in American Schools?
School leaders and policymakers must support and implement strong gun safety laws and school-based interventions.
Fact Sheet
Suicidio con armas de fuego en las ciudades: El lado menos conocido de la violencia con armas de fuego en las ciudades
Las tasas de personas que mueren por suicidio con armas de fuego en las ciudades están en aumento.
Report
Shooting Straight: What TV Stories Tell Us About Gun Safety, How These Depictions Affect Audiences, and How We Can Do Better
This research project explores how often gun safety and prevention measures are portrayed or discussed in entertainment media.
Report
Cómo detener los tiroteos y la violencia armada en las escuelas: Un plan para mantener seguros a los estudiantes
Necesitamos acciones significativas para mantener nuestras escuelas y las comunidades circundantes seguras en los Estados Unidos.
Report
A Continuum of Gun Access Interventions for Preventing Gun Suicide
Gun access interventions exist on a continuum, a chain of actions that can be taken depending on the severity of the crisis.
Fact SheetGun Suicide in Cities: The Lesser-Known Side of City Gun Violence
Rates of people who die by gun suicide in cities are on the rise, but, until now, a dearth of city-level data leaves it often overlooked.
Report
How To Stop Shootings and Gun Violence in Schools: A Plan to Keep Students Safe
We need meaningful actions to keep our schools safe, actions that address what we know about gun violence in America’s schools.
Report
Robos de armas en vehículos: la fuente más grande de armas robadas
Una investigación de Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund revela que los robos de armas en vehículos son la mayor fuente de armas robadas.
Everytown Research & Policy
Gunfire on School Grounds
Since 2013, Everytown has tracked incidents of gunfire on school grounds to learn how often youth are affected by gun violence.
Data Tracker
Keeping Our Schools Safe: A Plan for Preventing Mass Shootings and Ending All Gun Violence in American Schools
The failure of our leaders to address the root causes of school gun violence is having lasting consequences for millions of children.
Report
Those Who Serve: Addressing Firearm Suicide Among Military Veterans
Our country’s veterans are at a heightened risk of suicide, and firearms are the prevailing method of suicide among veterans.
Fact Sheet
City Gun Violence Reduction Insight Portal
CityGRIP is an online clearinghouse of data-informed gun violence reduction strategies.
Data Tracker
Firearm Suicide in the United States
Firearm suicide is preventable, and addressing it is an essential element of any strategy to reduce gun violence in America.
Fact Sheet
The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Teens
Children's exposure to gun violence has far reaching effects: An estimated three million children witness a shooting each year.
Fact Sheet