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SB2815 • 2026

Storage of a firearm; create minimum duty of care and criminalize negligent storage.

AN ACT TO DEFINE THE TERMS "IMMEDIATE CONTROL" AND "SECURELY STORED FIREARM"; TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM STANDARD OF CARE; TO CREATE THE CRIME OF NEGLIGENT STORAGE OF A FIREARM; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Children Firearms
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Turner-Ford
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and therefore does not provide specific details on exceptions to civil and criminal liability as mentioned in the candidate explanation.

Rules for Storing Firearms Safely

This bill sets rules to keep firearms safe by defining how a firearm should be stored and what happens if someone is careless with storing their gun.

What This Bill Does

  • Defines 'immediate control' as when a person carries the firearm or keeps it close enough to stop others from getting it.
  • Explains that a 'securely stored firearm' means keeping it in a way that stops minors from accessing it, like using locks or safes.
  • Requires people who own firearms to take reasonable steps to prevent minors from getting access when they are not watching the gun closely.
  • Makes it against the law for someone to store their firearm carelessly if a minor gets hold of it and uses it in ways that could be dangerous or illegal.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who own firearms
  • Minors (people under 18 years old)

Terms To Know

Immediate control
When a person carries the firearm or keeps it close enough to stop others from getting it.
Securely stored firearm
A firearm that is kept in a way that stops minors from accessing it, like using locks or safes.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and will not become law.
  • It does not allow anyone to check private homes for compliance with these rules.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division B

Official Summary Text

Storage of a firearm; create minimum duty of care and criminalize negligent storage.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S. B. No. 2815 *SS26/R597* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS26/R597
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)

To: Judiciary, Division B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Turner-Ford

SENATE BILL NO. 2815

AN ACT TO DEFINE THE TERMS "IMMEDIATE CONTROL" AND "SECURELY 1
STORED FIREARM"; TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM STANDARD OF CARE; TO CREATE 2
THE CRIME OF NEGLIGENT STORAGE OF A FIREARM; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL 3
PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL 4
LIABILITY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THIS ACT; AND FOR 5
RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. As used in this act: 8
(a) "Immediate control" means a firearm carried on a 9
person or within such proximity that a person can prevent access 10
by a minor. 11
(b) "Securely stored firearm" means a firearm that is 12
stored in a manner that a reasonable person would believe prevents 13
unauthorized access by a minor, including, but not limited to, a 14
locked container, gun safe, or mechanical locking device. 15
SECTION 2. (1) Any person who owns, possesses, or controls 16
a firearm shall exercise reasonable care to prevent access to the 17
firearm by a minor when the firearm is not under the person's 18
immediate control. 19
S. B. No. 2815 *SS26/R597* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS26/R597
PAGE 2 (ens\kr)

(2) This section establishes a minimum standard of care and 20
does not create a private cause of action. 21
SECTION 3. (1) A person commits the offense of negligent 22
storage of a firearm if: 23
(a) The person knowingly or recklessly stores or leaves 24
a firearm unsecured; and 25
(b) A minor gains access to the firearm without lawful 26
permission; and 27
(c) The minor discharges the firearm, uses the firearm 28
to threaten or injure any person, or transports the firearm onto 29
school property or any other location where possession of a 30
firearm is unlawful. 31
(2) A person convicted under subsection (1) of this section 32
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to 33
exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment in the 34
county jail not to exceed six (6) months, or by both fine and 35
imprisonment. 36
SECTION 4. There shall be no civil or criminal liability 37
under Section 2 or 3 of this act where: 38
(a) The firearm was secured but accessed through 39
unlawful entry or theft; 40
(b) The minor was using the firearm in lawful hunting, 41
sporting or agricultural activity with parental permission and 42
supervision; or 43
S. B. No. 2815 *SS26/R597* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS26/R597
PAGE 3 (ens\kr)
ST: Storage of a firearm; create minimum duty
of care and criminalize negligent storage.
(c) The minor was under immediate control of the owner 44
at the time of the access. 45
SECTION 5. Nothing in this act shall authorize the 46
inspection of private residences, impose strict liability absent 47
negligent conduct, or be construed to infringe upon the Second 48
Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article 3, Section 49
12 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. 50
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from 51
and after July 1, 2026. 52