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S4069
SENATE, No. 4069
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED MAY 4, 2026
Sponsored by:
Senator� JOSEPH P. CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
���� Establishes �New Jersey Home Safety Act� concerning
firearm storage and safety; appropriates $500,000.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Act
concerning
firearm storage safety, Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, repealing section
2 of P.L.1991, c.397, amending P.L.1991, c.397 and P.L.1999, c.255, and making
an appropriation.�
����
Be It Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey:
���� 1.��� (New Section) This act
shall be known and may be cited as the �New Jersey Home Safety Act.�
���� 2.��� (New section)� The
Legislature finds and declares that:
���� a.���� Having unsecured
personal firearms in the home puts both adults and children at significantly
increased risk of accidental injury, accidental death, suicide by firearm, and lethal
domestic violence incidents.�
���� b.��� Ownership of personal
firearms in New Jersey has surged dramatically since 2019, increasing by more
than 300 percent in 2020.
���� c.���� In 2018, 458 people
died from unintentional firearm injuries,� 116 of whom were children and teens.
���� d.��� The American Medical
Association, American Public Health Association, and the New Jersey Public
Health Association, among others, have declared gun violence a public health
crisis.
���� e.���� Ensuring that firearms
are secured and safely stored reduces the incidence and risk of theft or loss,
thereby reducing trafficked guns.
���� f.���� Enacting legislation to
mandate the secure safe storage of firearms, along with public education, could
save thousands of lives from accidental injuries, accidental death, suicide,
and homicide.
���� 3.��� (New section)� a.� A
person in possession of a firearm shall, at all times that the firearm is not
being carried by or under the control of that person, secure the firearm in a
gun safe or securely locked box or container that is properly engaged so as to
render the firearm inaccessible and unusable.
���� b.� Nothing in this section
shall be construed to prevent a legal owner from being authorized, pursuant to
subsection e. of N.J.S.2C:39-6, to lawfully keep or carry about the owner�s
place of business, residence, premises, or other land owned or possessed by the
owner, any firearm, or from carrying the firearm, in the manner specified in
subsection g. of N.J.S.2C:39-6, or from possessing a handgun in accordance with
P.L.2022, c.131.
���� c.� This section shall not
apply to a temporary transfer of a firearm authorized pursuant to section 1 of
P.L.1992, c.74 (C.2C:58-3.1).
���� d.� Except as provided in
subsection e. of this section, if a person in possession of a firearm fails to
store and secure the firearm properly in violation of subsection a. of this
section, that person:
���� (1)�� for a first offense,
shall be guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense and may be sentenced to a
period of community service of not less than 10 hours or more than 40 hours
with an entity approved by the Attorney General in accordance with subsection
f. of this section that has knowledge and experience in the prevention of gun
violence; and
���� (2)�� for a second or
subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
���� e.� If a person in possession
of a firearm recklessly fails to secure the firearm in violation of the
provisions of this section, the firearm is accessed by another person, and the
access results in serious bodily injury or death, the legal owner of the firearm
shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.�
���� f.� The Attorney General shall
establish a list of approved entities with knowledge and experience in the
prevention of gun violence for which a person may perform a sentence of
community service ordered by the court pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection
d. of this section.�
���� g.� An approved entity shall
offer community service that:
���� (1)�� incorporates gun
violence prevention education; and
���� (2)�� effectuates behavioral
change to meet the goals of gun violence prevention.
���� h.� An approved entity may
provide:
���� (1)�� online instruction
related to gun violence prevention;
���� (2)�� gun violence prevention
films; and
���� (3)�� gun violence prevention
interventional activities as part of a New Jersey hospital-based gun violence
intervention program.�
���� i.� The Attorney General shall
make the list of approved entities publicly available on the Internet website
of the Department of Law and Public Safety.
���� 4.��� (New section)� a.� The
Superintendent of State Police, in conjunction with the Attorney General, shall
adopt guidelines in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, P.L.1968,
c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to require each licensed retail firearms dealer in
the State, or the retail dealer�s employee, to provide to any person who
receives, possesses, carries, or uses a firearm, a written warning printed on
eight and one-half inches by 11 inches in size paper in not less than 14 point
bold point type letters which shall state:
NEW JERSEY STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT
ALL FIREARMS MUST BE STORED IN A SECURELY LOCKED GUN SAFE OR LOCKED CONTAINER
THAT IS PROPERLY ENGAGED SO AS TO RENDER THE FIREARM INACCESSIBLE AND UNUSABLE
TO ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE OWNER OR OTHER AUTHORIZED USER OF THE FIREARM.�
FAILURE TO DO SO IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW AND COULD RESULT IN FINES AND
IMPRISONMENT.� STORAGE OF AMMUNITION IN A SEPARATE LOCKED CONTAINER IS
ENCOURAGED.�
���� b.��� The written warning
provided pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall include the
requirements and penalties imposed pursuant to section 3 of
P.L. ���, c.� ��(C.������� ) (pending before the
Legislature as this bill).
���� c.���� The superintendent
shall provide each licensed retail firearms dealer with a sign to be displayed
prominently at a conspicuous place on the dealer's business premises at each
purchase counter.� The sign shall contain the statutory reference to section 3 of
P.L.� ��, c. ���(C.������� ) (pending before the
Legislature as this bill) and information concerning the Internet website that
contains the provisions of
section 3 of
P.L.�
, c.�� (C.���� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).� The sign shall
state substantially the following in one inch block letters:
NEW JERSEY STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT
ALL FIREARMS MUST BE STORED IN A SECURELY LOCKED GUN SAFE OR LOCKED CONTAINER
THAT IS PROPERLY ENGAGED SO AS TO RENDER THE FIREARM INACCESSIBLE AND UNUSABLE
TO ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE OWNER OR OTHER LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED USER OF THE
FIREARM.� FAILURE TO DO SO IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW AND COULD RESULT IN FINES AND
IMPRISONMENT.� STORAGE OF AMMUNITION IN A SEPARATE LOCKED CONTAINER IS
ENCOURAGED.�
���� 5.��� (New section)� a.� A
defendant found guilty of a second or subsequent offense involving the unlawful
storage of or access to a firearm pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection d. of
section 3 of
P.L.���� , c.�� (C.������� )
(pending
before the Legislature as this bill)� or a crime involving the unlawful storage
of or access to a firearm in violation of subsection e. of section 3 of
P.L.��� , c. ���(C.������� )
(pending before the
Legislature as this bill) shall be prohibited for one year from purchasing,
owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm and from receiving or retaining a
firearms purchaser identification card or permit to purchase a handgun pursuant
to N.J.S.2C:58-3.�
���� b.��� The court shall order
the defendant to arrange for the immediate surrender to a law enforcement
officer of any firearm that has not already been seized or surrendered and any
firearms purchaser identification card or permit to purchase a handgun possessed
by the defendant.� No later than five business days after the order is entered,
however, the defendant may arrange to sell any surrendered firearm to a
licensed retail dealer of firearms who shall be authorized to take possession
of that purchased firearm from the law enforcement agency to which it was
surrendered no later than 10 business days after the order is entered.� Any
card or permit issued to the defendant shall be deemed immediately revoked.�
The court shall establish a process for notifying the appropriate authorities
of the conviction requiring the revocation of the card or permit.
���� A law enforcement officer
accepting a surrendered firearm shall provide the defendant with a receipt
listing the date of surrender, the name of the defendant, and any item that has
been surrendered, including the serial number, manufacturer, and model of the
surrendered firearm.� The defendant shall provide a copy of this receipt to the
prosecutor within 48 hours of service of the order, and the defendant shall
attest under penalty that any firearms owned or possessed at the time of the
order have been transferred in accordance with this section and that the
defendant currently does not possess any firearms. The defendant alternatively
may attest under penalty that the defendant did not own or possess a firearm at
the time of the order and currently does not possess a firearm.� If the court,
upon motion of the prosecutor, finds probable cause that the defendant has
failed to surrender any firearm, card, or permit, the court may order a search
for and removal of these items at any location where the judge has reasonable
cause to believe these items are located.� The judge shall state with
specificity the reasons for and the scope of the search and seizure authorized
by the order.
���� A law enforcement officer who
receives a firearm that is surrendered, but not purchased and taken possession
of by a licensed retail dealer of firearms within 10 business days of when the
order is entered pursuant to this subsection, may dispose of the surrendered
firearm in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.2C:64-6.� A firearm
purchased by a licensed retail dealer from a defendant shall become part of the
inventory of the dealer.
���� 6.��� (New section)� a.� The
Attorney General shall establish a public awareness campaign to inform and
educate the public concerning the provisions of section 3 of
P.L.���� , c.�� (C.������� )
(pending before the
Legislature as this bill); the dangers associated with the presence of an
unsecured firearm in the home; and the requirements and penalties imposed
pursuant to
P.L. , c. (C. ������
)
(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
���� b.��� The public awareness
campaign shall be implemented in media outlets which include, but are not
limited to: Statewide newspapers, radio, public service announcements, social
media, television ads, and other media outlets deemed appropriate by the
Attorney General.
���� c.���� There is appropriated
from the General Fund $500,000 to the Department of Law and Public Safety to
develop and implement the public awareness campaign.
���� 7.��� (New section)� a.� The
Attorney General shall collect and analyze data related to implementation of
P.L.���� , c. ���(C.������� )
(pending before the
Legislature as this bill) including the number of violations that have occurred
and the disposition of each violation.�
���� b.��� The Attorney General
shall conduct a study to determine the overall impact of
P.L.���� , c. ���(C.������� )
(pending before the
Legislature as this bill).� The study shall consider the effectiveness of the
bill on public safety and the effectiveness of the community service
requirements established pursuant to
P.L.���� , c.��
(C.������� )
(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
���� c.���� The Attorney General
shall submit annually a report summarizing the analysis and study conducted
pursuant to this section to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991,
c.164 (C.52:14-19.1) and shall make the summary report available to the public
on the Internet website of the Department of Law and Public Safety.� The
Attorney General shall submit and publish the report by November 1st of each
year.
���� 8.��� Section 1 of P.L.1991,
c.397 (2C:58-15) is amended to read as follows:
���� 1.��� a.� A person who knows
or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to gain access to a
[
loaded
]
firearm
[
at a premises
under the person's control
]
commits a disorderly persons offense if a minor gains access to the firearm
[
, unless the
person:�
���� (1)� Stores the firearm in a
securely locked box or container;
���� (2)� Stores the firearm in a
location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or�
���� (3)� Secures the firearm with
a trigger lock
]
.
���� b.�� This section shall not
apply:
���� (1)� To activities authorized
by section 14 of P.L.1979, c.179, (C.2C:58-6.1), concerning the lawful use of a
firearm by a minor;
[
or
]
�
���� (2)� Under circumstances where
a minor obtained a firearm as a result of an unlawful entry by any person
;
or
����
(3)� If the firearm was
stored in accordance with the provisions
of P.L.��� ,
c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)
.�
���� c.�� As used in this act,
"minor" means a person under the age of 16.
(cf: P.L.1991, c.397, s.1)
���� 9.��� Section 2 of P.L.1999,
c.255 (C.2C:58-17) is amended to read as follows:
���� 2.� a.� There is established a
"KeepSafe" program to encourage and stimulate the safe storage of
firearms in the State of New Jersey by providing instant rebates to firearms
purchasers who purchase trigger locking devices.
���� Under the program, a person
who purchases a firearm from a retail dealer licensed under the provisions of
N.J.S.2C:58-2 shall be eligible for a $5 instant rebate when a compatible
[
trigger
locking device
]
gun safe or securely locked box or container
is purchased along with
that firearm.� The licensed retail dealer shall deduct the rebate from the
price of the
[
compatible
locking device
]
gun safe or securely locked box or container
in order to reduce by $5
the cost of the device for the purchaser.
���� b.��� The Superintendent of
State Police, in conjunction with the Attorney General, shall adopt guidelines
in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, P.L.1968, c.410
(C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this act.
���� In addition, the
superintendent shall prepare and deliver to each licensed retail firearms
dealer in the State the forms necessary to record and report participation in
the program.� The forms, which shall set forth the name, address, telephone
number, State tax number and State license number of the retail firearms
dealer, the name of the firearms purchaser and his firearms purchaser
identification card number or permit to purchase a handgun number, the make and
model number of the compatible trigger locking device purchased and the date of
the sale, shall be in duplicate.� One copy shall be retained by the retail
dealer for his records.� The other shall be submitted to the Attorney General
for reimbursement.� The reimbursement copies shall be submitted monthly at a
time prescribed by the superintendent.� The submitting retail dealer shall be
entitled to a reimbursement of $5 for each
[
trigger
locking device
]
gun safe or securely locked box or container
sold as part of the
KeepSafe program.� To help defray any administrative costs, each participating
retail dealer shall receive, in addition to the reimbursement, $0.50 for each
valid reimbursement copy submitted.
���� The superintendent also shall
provide each licensed retail firearms dealer with a sign to be prominently
displayed at a conspicuous place on the dealer's business premises where
firearms are offered for sale.� The sign shall state substantially the following:
"KEEP NEW JERSEY FIREARMS
SAFE.� TO ENCOURAGE NEW JERSEY GUN OWNERS TO STORE THEIR FIREARMS SAFELY, THE
STATE IS OFFERING A $5 INSTANT REBATE WHEN YOU PURCHASE A
[
COMPATIBLE
TRIGGER LOCK ALONG WITH YOUR FIREARM
]
GUN SAFE OR SECURELY
LOCKED BOX OR CONTAINER
.�
REMEMBER--THE USE OF A
[
TRIGGER
LOCK
]
GUN
SAFE OR SECURELY LOCKED BOX OR CONTAINER
IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE
FIREARM STORAGE.� FIREARMS SHOULD BE STORED
[
,
UNLOADED
]
AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND
INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN.� NEW JERSEY'S FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARE�
PRECIOUS--KEEP THEM SAFE!!"
(cf: P.L.1999, c.255, s.2)
���� 10.� Section 2 of P.L.1991,
c.397 (C.2C:58-16) is repealed.�
���� 11.� This act shall take
effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of
enactment.
STATEMENT
���� This bill establishes
penalties for improper storage of a firearm that results in access to the
firearm; requires a warning to be issued to firearms purchasers; and requires
the Attorney General to establish a public awareness campaign regarding the
risk associated with improper storage of a firearm.� The bill also repeals the
statute requiring a retail dealer to provide certain written warnings and post
certain signage, and makes an appropriation.
Under current law,
there are storage requirements and penalties imposed if a minor accesses a
loaded firearm that is not in use.� However, there are currently no general
requirements for storing firearms when they are not in use.�
���� This bill requires a person in
possession of a firearm to secure it in a gun safe or securely locked box at
all times that the firearm is not being carried by or under the control of that
person.�
���� Under the bill, if a person in
possession of a firearm fails to store it in accordance with the bill�s
provisions, the owner will, for a first offense, be guilty of a petty
disorderly persons offense and may be sentenced to a period of community
service of not less than 10 hours and not more than 40 hours.� For a second or
subsequent offense, the owner is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.� If an
improperly stored firearm is accessed by another person, and the access results
in serious bodily injury to or the death of the person who accesses the firearm
or another person, the owner is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.� A
petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a
fine of up to $500, or both.� A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up
to six months� imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.� A crime of the
fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months� imprisonment, a fine of up to
$10,000, or both.
���� In addition, the bill amends
current law to provide that a person who knows or reasonably should know that a
minor is likely to gain access to a firearm commits a disorderly persons
offense if a minor gains access to the firearm, unless the firearm is stored in
accordance with the bill�s provisions.� The bill eliminates the provisions of
law providing that a person would be liable only if a minor gained access to a
loaded firearm at premises under the person�s control, and the exception to
liability for firearms secured by a trigger lock or stored in a location that a
reasonable person would believe to be secure.�
���� Under the bill, the Attorney
General is required to establish a list of approved entities with knowledge and
experience in the prevention of gun violence, for which a person may perform a
court-ordered sentence of community service.� An approved entity is required to
offer community service that incorporates gun violence prevention education and
effectuates behavioral change to meet the goals of gun violence prevention.� An
approved entity also may provide online instruction related to gun violence
prevention, gun violence prevention films, and gun violence prevention
interventional activities to be conducted as part of a New Jersey
hospital-based gun violence intervention program.�
���� The bill provides that a
person who is convicted of (1) a second or subsequent offense involving the
access of an improperly secured firearm, or (2) the crime of failing to
properly secure a firearm that is accessed by another person resulting in
serious bodily injury or death, is prohibited for one year from purchasing,
owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm, and from receiving or retaining a
permit to purchase a handgun (PPH) or a firearms purchaser identification card
(FPIC).�
���� Under the bill, the court is
to order a defendant to arrange for the immediate surrender to a law
enforcement officer of any firearm that has not already been seized or
surrendered, as well as any PPH or FPIC.� Within five days of the entry of an
order, the defendant may arrange to sell the surrendered firearm to a licensed
retail dealer.� The dealer then has 10 days to take possession of the firearm.�
A law enforcement officer accepting a surrendered firearm is to provide the
defendant with a receipt, which the defendant is to present to the prosecutor
as proof of surrender.� If a firearm is surrendered to a law enforcement
officer, but not sold to a licensed retail dealer, the law enforcement officer
is authorized to dispose of the firearm in accordance with the State�s civil
asset forfeiture laws.
���� In addition, the bill requires
a retail dealer or employee to notify a firearms purchaser and post signage
explaining the New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act and warning of the
dangers associated with having a firearm in the home and the penalties for
unlawful access to an improperly stored firearm.�
���� The bill also requires the
Attorney General to establish a public awareness campaign to inform and educate
the public about the bill's provisions, including the requirements and
penalties imposed under the bill, and the dangers associated with the presence
of an unsecured firearm in the home.� The public awareness campaign is to be
implemented through media outlets including, but not limited to: Statewide
newspapers, radio, public service announcements, social media, television ads,
and other media outlets deemed appropriate by the Attorney General.� The bill
appropriates $500,000 to fund the development and implementation of the public
awareness campaign.
���� The bill also requires the
Attorney General to collect and analyze data on the implementation of the bill,
including the number and disposition of violations.� The Attorney General is
also required to study the bill�s impact, including its effect on public safety
of the bill and its community service requirements.� The Attorney General is
required to submit annually to the Legislature a report summarizing the
analysis and study conducted pursuant to the bill, and to make the report
available to the public online.� The report is to be submitted and published by
November 1st of each year.
���� The bill provides that a
person is eligible for a $5 instant rebate under the �KeepSafe� program only
when a gun safe or securely locked box, or container is purchased along with
the firearm.� Under current law, a person is eligible for a rebate under the
�KeepSafe� program when a compatible trigger-locking device is purchased with
the firearm.�
���� Finally, the bill repeals the
statute requiring a retail dealer to provide certain written warnings and post
certain signage.