Safe Gun Storage

Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The attached information will help you learn about options for, as well as how to
talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.

In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services
(SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in
Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access
to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass
violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.

It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely
to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the
offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable
firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:

• Failed to secure the firearm; or
• Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access

The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable
by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of
the two).

Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.

Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored
elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public
Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.

Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.