MADISON – Today, Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) and Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) introduced legislation that would require firearms to be securely stored—either in a locked container or with a locking device engaged—when a child resides in or is present in a home.
The bill comes in the wake of a tragic incident that took place on May 28th in Madison, where a 6-year-old child was critically injured in an accidental shooting. The child accessed an unsecured firearm that had been left unattended by an adult caregiver.
“Children should be safe wherever they are — at home, at school, or visiting a friend’s house,” said Rep. Subeck. “That safety is jeopardized when firearms are left unsecured in homes where kids are present. This commonsense legislation takes real, practical steps to keep children safe and prevent tragic, entirely avoidable shootings.”
Firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, nearly 360 children unintentionally shoot themselves or others each year, and an estimated 4.6 million children live in homes with at least one loaded and unlocked firearm.
“Owning a firearm is a choice, and one that should never be taken lightly,” said Sen. Larson. “A child is not old enough to make that choice for themself. It is paramount that anyone who owns a gun in a home where children are present take necessary precautions to secure that weapon. There is no good reason why this should not be the law in Wisconsin.”
