Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica) announced passage of legislation she authored to amend a safe storage bill passed by the Assembly earlier this year (A.8174). The measure would provide an exemption to firearm storage requirements, allowing children under the age of 16 to access guns for lawful and supervised use in certain circumstances.

“While proper storage of firearms is crucial and necessary to prevent tragedies, prohibiting young people from accessing guns at supervised shooting ranges or while out hunting was never the idea,” Buttenschon said. “My legislation will ensure that law-abiding and responsible gun owners aren’t unfairly penalized for teaching kids how to safely use firearms.”

The safe storage bill – which passed the Assembly and Senate earlier this year and awaits the governor’s signature – requires gun owners to lock up firearms, rifles and shotguns or render them incapable of being fired by using an appropriate locking device if there is a child under the age of 16 residing in the home (A.2686-A). Failure to comply with certain provisions of the legislation could result in a class A misdemeanor or a fine. Buttenschon’s legislation would clarify that allowing a person under 16 to access a gun for lawful use as already permitted under the law would not be a violation of the requirement. The amendment would clarify that a person under 16 can continue to use firearms at a gun range under immediate supervision or when the person under 16 has a hunting license or permit.