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HB 113KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState Billdead

Did Not Advance

Kentucky bill establishes criminal penalties for unsafe firearm storage accessible to minors

Original title: AN ACT relating to gun safety for children.

Last action · January 14, 2026: to Judiciary (H)Sponsors: George Brown and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Kentucky lawmakers introduce legislation defining the crime of unlawful storage of a firearm when an adult recklessly leaves a weapon accessible to a minor who then accesses it without parental permission. The offense carries a penalty, escalating to a if the minor uses the firearm to cause physical injury or death.

Why it matters

Adult gun owners face potential criminal charges and misdemeanor prosecution if unsupervised minors gain access to unsecured firearms on their property or vehicles, with harsher penalties applying if injury or death results.

Background

The Kentucky General Assembly is the state legislature responsible for considering and enacting statutory changes. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Gun owners

Gun owners face criminal liability and misdemeanor charges if they store firearms in a manner that allows unsupervised access by minors.

Directly affected

Minors

Minors are subject to reduced unsupervised access to unsecured firearms stored in homes or vehicles.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What constitutes a securely locked container under this bill?

A securely locked container means a fully enclosed container locked by a padlock, keylock, combination lock, or similar device. A motor vehicle glove compartment is excluded unless it can be manually locked.

What are the penalties for violating the firearm storage requirements?

Unlawful storage of a firearm is a . If the minor uses the firearm to cause physical injury, serious physical injury, or death, the offense becomes a .

Are there any defenses if a minor accesses a stored firearm?

Yes, a person has an to prosecution if the minor obtained the firearm through the unlawful entry of the premises or motor vehicle where it was stored.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

2 actions

Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
to Judiciary (H)
Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Lisa Willner, General Assembly, Beverly Chester-Burton and 1 more

PersonLisa Willner“Co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

OrganizationGeneral Assembly“Legislative body enacting the measure.”Map →

PersonBeverly Chester-Burton“Co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

PersonGeorge Brown“Primary sponsor of the bill.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

apps.legislature.ky.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
Controversy80
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz60
Current news / social attention level

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