H.R. 4225 — Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act

This section prohibits a parent or guardian from providing written consent under 18 U.S.C. 922(x)(3)—which otherwise excepts juveniles under 18 from the prohibition on handgun transfers—unless the parent or guardian has actual knowledge that the juvenile's possession or use of the handgun will occur in the presence and under the active supervision of the transferor or another adult not prohibited by federal, state, or local law from possessing a firearm.

This section establishes as unlawful the storage of any unsecured firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce unless the owner carries the firearm on their person or in close proximity for ready retrieval (with "unsecured firearm" defined as one not secured by a secure gun storage or safety device). It authorizes a private right of action for compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive and declaratory relief against violators or persons in control of the premises who knew or should have known of the violation (with joint and several liability among defendants and a rule clarifying that such violations are not solely intentional acts for insurance purposes; does not preempt state law). It directs the Attorney General, after notice and hearing, to impose civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first violation of the storage requirement and up to $5,000 for subsequent violations and to notify violators of prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. §922(d)(10); prohibits firearm transfers to persons assessed such a penalty within the preceding five years (adding new §922(d)(12)); and requires the Attorney General to issue implementing regulations within six months, including National Instant Criminal Background Check System denial of transfers to recent violators and notice of penalties by licensed dealers to non-licensees.

This section establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Education, using amounts made available to carry out the Act, for eligible local educational agencies (LEAs)—those located in states with secure gun storage laws similar to 18 U.S.C. §922(z)(4), as added by section 3—to provide parents with educational materials on gun safety and secure gun storage. Grant funds may also support (1) additional gun safety materials for parents, including best practices to secure guns from children; (2) publicly accessible information sessions on gun safety; or (3) hiring or assigning staff to monitor grant activities. The section further directs the Secretary to issue guidance, not later than 180 days before the first grant award, on best practices for keeping children secure from guns and for LEAs to provide age-appropriate gun safety education to parents. Terms such as LEA and parent have the meanings given in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. §7801).

This section requires the Attorney General to submit to Congress a written report on the implementation of this Act and its amendments, within two years of enactment and annually thereafter, including data disaggregated by sex, race, age, ethnicity, national origin, and English language proficiency.