Safe Storage Laws by State
Safe storage laws — also called Child Access Prevention (CAP) laws — require gun owners to store firearms in a way that prevents unauthorized access, particularly by children. For travelers crossing state lines, these laws matter: a storage practice that is perfectly legal at home may expose you to criminal liability the moment you arrive in a state with stricter requirements. Understanding which states have mandatory safe storage rules — and what those rules actually require — is an important part of responsible, lawful travel with firearms.
Laws change without notice.The summaries below reflect our best understanding of each state's safe storage requirements but may not capture recent amendments, court rulings, or local ordinances. Always verify current law with an attorney or official state source before traveling with a firearm. This is not legal advice.
States With Mandatory Safe Storage Laws
11 states currently impose statutory safe storage or CAP obligations on firearm owners.
| Abbr | State | Requirement Summary |
|---|---|---|
| CA | California | Requires secure storage when a minor is likely to access the firearm; criminal liability if a minor obtains and uses it. |
| CO | Colorado | Requires secure storage when a minor under 18 is present; penalties apply for negligent storage. |
| CT | Connecticut | Requires trigger locks or locked storage in households with minors; one of the earliest CAP states. |
| FL | Florida | Imposes criminal liability if a child under 16 accesses an improperly stored firearm. |
| IL | Illinois | Requires secure storage when a minor under 14 is present; statewide safe-storage mandate. |
| MA | Massachusetts | All firearms must be stored with a trigger lock or in a locked container at all times — among the broadest requirements in the country. |
| MD | Maryland | Criminal liability if a minor under 16 accesses an unsecured firearm; safety device required at point of sale. |
| NJ | New Jersey | Requires secure storage when a minor is likely to have unsupervised access to the firearm. |
| NY | New York | Requires secure storage when a person under 16 is present; expanded 2022 legislation covers additional household situations. |
| TX | Texas | Makes it a crime to make a firearm accessible to a child under 17 when the firearm is readily dischargeable. |
| WA | Washington | Requires secure storage when a prohibited person or minor under 18 lives in or is likely to be present in the home. |
States Without Mandatory Safe Storage Laws
Approximately 39 states — including most of the South, Midwest, and Mountain West — have no statewide mandatory safe storage or CAP statute. In these states, gun owners are not criminally required to use a safe, lock box, or trigger lock, though civil liability may still arise if a firearm is accessed by a minor. Many firearm safety organizations and pediatric groups recommend secure storage regardless of whether it is legally required.
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