WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy (both D-Conn.) and a group of over 180 Members of Congress including New Jersey Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-N.J.-10), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-11), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12) in reintroducing the Safe Gun Storage Act, also known as Ethan’s law, to require gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms.

Named in honor of Ethan Song, a teenager from Guilford, Connecticut who was tragically killed in 2018 by an unsecured gun in a neighbor’s home, the bill would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for firearm locks and firearm safes and establish strong penalties for any violations. With loaded and unlocked guns in the homes of an estimated 4.6 million American minors, which results in the killing or injuring of eight children or teens every day, Ethan’s Law would reduce access to these unsupervised firearms often used in suicides, school shootings, and other acts of violence.

“As recent tragedies have shown, it’s more important than ever to keep guns out of the hands of children or anyone else who could pose a risk to others. This law has a simple objective: storing guns safely and securely to save lives,” said Sen. Menendez. “Congress must continue to make progress towards keeping American families and communities safe and this common-sense legislation would do that, ultimately helping reduce the gun violence epidemic that has taken the lives of too many Americans.”

"What happened to Ethan Song was tragic and we must do more to protect our children,” said Senator Booker. “No family should have to experience the profound grief that comes with losing a loved one because of an unsecured weapon in a home. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this legislation that will set federal standards for the safe storage of firearms and save lives."

Under the Safe Gun Storage Act, gun owners would be required to secure their firearms in a “secure gun storage or safety device” if a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without permission, or if a resident of the dwelling cannot legally possess a firearm under existing law. The bill also includes incentives for states to pass and enforce their own safe gun storage laws.

Joining Sens. Menendez, Booker, Blumenthal and Murphy, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-3), and is cosponsored by over 150 members, including New Jersey Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-N.J.-10), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-11), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12).

“We continue to see our nation’s children injured and killed from gun violence and improperly secured firearms. These tragedies are preventable. If someone is going to own a gun, then they also have the responsibility to secure the gun properly. How many more children will we have to lose to a gun that’s left loaded and sitting around?” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this commonsense legislation to help keep our children safe, which is every parent’s number one priority.”

“Progress isn’t inevitable and inaction is unacceptable. I’ve seen moms, students, and public servants of both parties rejecting the idea that gun violence is intrinsic to who we are as Americans and this bill is a strong step in that direction,” said Congressman Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03). “I know not everyone agrees with me on what to do about gun violence. But I hope everyone agrees that something needs to be done to protect our kids and communities. I hope both the House and Senate can come together and take up this meaningful legislation and keep Americans safe from senseless gun violence.”

“Let’s be clear – guns and gun violence have tragically taken the lives of friends, family, and neighbors far too soon. This bill is a commonsense solution to help keep kids safe at home and school so that no parent endures the pain of losing of their child,” said Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06). “I’m proud to join my colleagues today in introducing this bill and will continue to work with them to end gun violence in our country.”

“Turn on the news any given week and you will hear about another child who has wielded a firearm with deadly results,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-05). “And the cause, invariably, is a poorly secured weapon at home that led to a terrible incident. We continue every day to pursue needed measures like background checks, but here too the government can have a positive role in stemming tragedy before it happens. Ethan’s Law will help us push all parents to secure their weapons so children cannot access them. It doesn’t get more commonsense than that.”

“No family should suffer because a gun went off in a child’s hands, but it happens far too often in our country,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-11). “As a Navy veteran, I am proud to co-sponsor this commonsense gun violence legislation that would require that a gun, loaded or unloaded, be properly stored so that individuals under the age of 18 cannot access it and put themselves at risk. The time for partisan stalling and obstruction in the face of countless senseless killings is over. We must act.”

“Firearms are now the leading cause of death of young people in the United States, surpassing automobile accidents and other causes,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12). “The safe and secure storage is essential to saving the lives of our nation’s children. I’m grateful to Senators Menendez, Booker, Blumenthal and Murphy for bringing forward Ethan’s Law as an essential step in fighting our national epidemic of firearms deaths.”

The text of the Senate bill can be found HERE. A one-pager detailing the provisions can be found HERE.