States with Firearm Laws Designed to Protect Children
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2025
| Location | Child Access to Firearms Prevention Law | When does the law apply? | For which ages does the law apply? |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes: 26 states<br> No: 24 states | After child gains access: 16 <br> When child is likely to access: 6 <br> Not in owner's immediate control: 4 | Under 18: 16, Under 17: 1 <br> Under 16: 5, Under 14: 4 |
| Alabama | No | N/A | N/A |
| Alaska | No | N/A | N/A |
| Arizona | No | N/A | N/A |
| Arkansas | No | N/A | N/A |
| California | Yes | Any time not in owner's immediate control | Under 18 |
| Colorado | Yes | When child may or is likely to access | Under 18 |
| Connecticut | Yes | Any time not in owner's immediate control | Under 18 |
| Delaware | Yes | After child gains access | Under 18 |
| District of Columbia | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Florida | Yes | After child gains access | Under 16 |
| Georgia | No | N/A | N/A |
| Hawaii | Yes | Any time not in owner's immediate control | Under 18 |
| Idaho | No | N/A | N/A |
| Illinois | Yes | After child gains access | Under 14 |
| Indiana | No | N/A | N/A |
| Iowa | Yes | After child gains access | Under 14 |
| Kansas | No | N/A | N/A |
| Kentucky | No | N/A | N/A |
| Louisiana | No | N/A | N/A |
| Maine | Yes | After child gains access | Under 16 |
| Maryland | Yes | When child may or is likely to access | Under 18 |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Any time not in owner's immediate control | Under 18 |
| Michigan | Yes | After child gains access | Under 18 |
| Minnesota | Yes | When child may or is likely to access | Under 18 |
| Mississippi | No | N/A | N/A |
| Missouri | No | N/A | N/A |
| Montana | No | N/A | N/A |
| Nebraska | No | N/A | N/A |
| Nevada | Yes | When child may or is likely to access | Under 18 |
| New Hampshire | Yes | After child gains access | Under 16 |
| New Jersey | Yes | After child gains access | Under 16 |
| New Mexico | Yes | After child gains access | Under 18 |
| New York | Yes | When child may or is likely to access | Under 16 |
| North Carolina | Yes | After child gains access | Under 18 |
| North Dakota | No | N/A | N/A |
| Ohio | No | N/A | N/A |
| Oklahoma | No | N/A | N/A |
| Oregon | Yes | Any time not in owner's immediate control | Under 18 |
| Pennsylvania | No | N/A | N/A |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Any time not in owner's immediate control | Under 18 |
| South Carolina | No | N/A | N/A |
| South Dakota | No | N/A | N/A |
| Tennessee | No | N/A | N/A |
| Texas | Yes | After child gains access | Under 17 |
| Utah | No | N/A | N/A |
| Vermont | Yes | After child gains access | Under 18 |
| Virginia | Yes | When child may or is likely to access | Under 14 |
| Washington | Yes | After child gains access | Under 18 |
| West Virginia | No | N/A | N/A |
| Wisconsin | Yes | After child gains access | Under 14 |
| Wyoming | No | N/A | N/A |