September 11, 2024

As part of our ongoing Guide to Texas Gun Laws series, we’re focusing today on a vital, life-saving tool: safe gun storage. 

Believe it or not, Texas law does not require firearms to be stored securely unless a child under 17 gains access to a loaded and readily dischargeable weapon. In other words, adult accountability for safe gun storage only kicks in after firearm access occurs, which leaves far too much room for preventable tragedies.

Why does this matter? Every year, children in Texas and across the U.S. are injured or killed because they can easily access unsecured firearms. Texas has more guns than any other state and the highest number of unintentional shootings on average. This horrific reality underscores the need for stronger, enforced safe storage laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands—especially children.

Here’s what the current law mandates:

★ Adults can be held accountable if a child under 17 accesses a loaded, readily dischargeable firearm.
★ There are no legal requirements for how guns must be stored to prevent youth and those in crisis from accessing firearms 
★ Public school districts in Texas are required to distribute safe gun storage information to parents. Although this policy is an important step in the right direction, there is inadequate tracking and implementation—resulting in a number of school districts failing to distribute this life-saving information.

We know that strong safe storage laws save lives. Research shows that securely storing firearms can significantly reduce unintentional shootings, school shootings, and firearm suicides.

At Texas Gun Sense, we are advocating for tougher safe storage requirements that would mandate the secure storage of all firearms — before tragedies can occur.