Secure Storage Requirements

Last reviewed: July 16, 2026

Alaska: NoneAlabama: NoneArkansas: NoneArizona: NoneCalifornia: A person commits the crime of “criminal storage of a firearm in the third degree” if the person keeps any firearm within any premises and negligently stores or leaves a firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should know, that a child is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian, unless reasonable action is taken by the person to secure the firearm against access by the child.Colorado: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Also in unoccupied vehicles firearms must be in a secure container and out of sight.Connecticut: Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control within a home. Within an unattended vehicle firearms must be in a trunk, locked safe, or locked glove box.District of Columbia: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.Delaware: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Specific to a vehicle, it is a crime to leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle unless it is in a locked container, trunk, or locked rack.Florida: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.Georgia: NoneHawaii: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access in a home. No person shall intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly store or otherwise leave a loaded or unloaded firearm out of the person's immediate possession or control inside a vehicle without first securely locking the firearm in a safe storage depository that is out of sight from outside of the vehicle.Iowa: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.Idaho: NoneIllinois: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.Indiana: NoneKansas: NoneKentucky: NoneLouisiana: NoneMassachusetts: Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control.Maryland: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.Maine: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor (under 16) gaining unauthorized access.Michigan: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.Minnesota: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.Missouri: NoneMississippi: NoneMontana: NoneNorth Carolina: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.North Dakota: NoneNebraska: NoneNew Hampshire: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.New Jersey: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.New Mexico: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.Nevada: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.New York: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.Ohio: NoneOklahoma: NoneOregon: Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control.Pennsylvania: Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control.Rhode Island: Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control.South Carolina: NoneSouth Dakota: NoneTennessee: NoneTexas: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.Utah: NoneVirginia: Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile (under 14) can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm.Vermont: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.Washington: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.Wisconsin: There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor (under 14) gaining unauthorized access.West Virginia: NoneWyoming: None AKALARAZCACOCTDCDEFLGAHIIAIDILINKSKYLAMAMDMEMIMNMOMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMNVNYOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVAVTWAWIWVWY
Permitted Partial Restricted Informational

Showing 51 states

State Secure Storage Requirements Status
Alabama None Permitted
Alaska None Permitted
Arizona None Permitted
Arkansas None Permitted
California A person commits the crime of “criminal storage of a firearm in the third degree” if the person keeps any firearm within any premises and negligently stores or leaves a firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should know, that a child is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian, unless reasonable action is taken by the person to secure the firearm against access by the child. Restricted
Colorado Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Also in unoccupied vehicles firearms must be in a secure container and out of sight. Informational
Connecticut Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control within a home. Within an unattended vehicle firearms must be in a trunk, locked safe, or locked glove box. Restricted
Delaware There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Specific to a vehicle, it is a crime to leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle unless it is in a locked container, trunk, or locked rack. Restricted
District of Columbia Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Restricted
Florida There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
Georgia None Permitted
Hawaii There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access in a home. No person shall intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly store or otherwise leave a loaded or unloaded firearm out of the person's immediate possession or control inside a vehicle without first securely locking the firearm in a safe storage depository that is out of sight from outside of the vehicle. Restricted
Idaho None Permitted
Illinois Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Restricted
Indiana None Permitted
Iowa There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
Kansas None Permitted
Kentucky None Permitted
Louisiana None Permitted
Maine There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor (under 16) gaining unauthorized access. Informational
Maryland Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Restricted
Massachusetts Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control. Restricted
Michigan There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
Minnesota Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Restricted
Mississippi None Permitted
Missouri None Permitted
Montana None Permitted
Nebraska None Permitted
Nevada Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Restricted
New Hampshire There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
New Jersey There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
New Mexico There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
New York Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Restricted
North Carolina There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
North Dakota None Permitted
Ohio None Permitted
Oklahoma None Permitted
Oregon Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control. Restricted
Pennsylvania Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control. Permitted
Rhode Island Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control. Restricted
South Carolina None Permitted
South Dakota None Permitted
Tennessee None Permitted
Texas There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
Utah None Permitted
Vermont There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
Virginia Firearms must be securely stored when one knows or reasonably should know that a juvenile (under 14) can gain access to the firearm without the permission of their parent or guardian or when a resident of the premises is ineligible to possess a firearm. Restricted
Washington There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access. Informational
West Virginia None Permitted
Wisconsin There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor (under 14) gaining unauthorized access. Informational
Wyoming None Permitted
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

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