§134-10.5  Secure storage of firearms.  (a)  No person shall store or leave any firearm on any premises under the person's control unless the person:

     (1)  Secures the firearm in a locked box or other container, such as a gun safe, or by using a properly engaged tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other tamper-resistant safety device that renders the firearm inoperable by any person other than the owner or lawfully authorized user;

     (2)  Stores the firearm in a location that a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or

     (3)  Carries the firearm on the person or within such close proximity to the person that the person can readily retrieve and use the firearm as if it were carried on the person.

     (b)  Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and fined no more than $500; provided that a person who commits the offense of criminally negligent storage of a firearm under section 707-714.5 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

     (c)  Any person who violates this section shall be strictly liable for damages incurred if the firearm obtained as a result of the violation is used to injure a person or property within two years of the violation; provided that this subsection shall not apply if:

     (1)  The injury results from a lawful act of self-defense or defense of another person; or

     (2)  The unsecured firearm was obtained by a person as a result of a person entering or remaining on the premises unlawfully.

     (d)  This section shall not apply to a person in an exempt category identified in section 134-11(a).

     (e)  For purposes of this section, "premises" does not include a vehicle. [L 1992, c 288, §1; am L 2021, c 148, §2; am L 2025, c 22, §3]

Cross References

  Criminally negligent storage of firearm, see §707-714.5.