Bill Overview
Title: Safe Guns, Safe Kids Act
Description: This bill establishes federal statutory requirements to regulate the storage of firearms on residential premises. Specifically, the bill requires firearms on residential premises to be safely stored if (1) a minor is reasonably likely to gain access without permission, and (2) a minor obtains the firearm and uses it in a crime or causes injury or death to themselves or another individual. An individual who violates the requirements is subject to criminal penalties.
Sponsors: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8]
Target Audience
Population: Households with firearms and minor children
Estimated Size: 23000000
- The bill aims to prevent minors from accessing guns without permission, thereby reducing accidental shootings and crimes involving firearms by minors.
- There are approximately 200 million minors in the world who could potentially be impacted if similar legislation is adopted globally.
- Approximately 55 million minors under the age of 18 live in the United States, according to recent statistics.
- The bill is directly relevant to households where firearms are present, suggesting it will affect both gun-owning households and their surrounding communities.
Reasoning
- This policy targets households with firearms and minors, with the goal to reduce accidental harm or misuse of firearms by minors.
- A budget of $500 million in the first year aims to cover interventions such as awareness campaigns, provision of safe storage solutions, and enforcement mechanisms.
- There are approximately 23 million households in the U.S. that are estimated to be directly impacted based on gun ownership statistics and the presence of minors.
- Considering varying levels of economic resources among households, the extent of policy impact will range from high to none, depending on each household's initial compliance and resources available.
Simulated Interviews
Software Developer (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the policy because it prioritizes the safety of my kids. It's common sense to store guns safely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Nurse (California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a necessary law, even though it doesn't affect my household directly. I hope it makes my community safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good for families with children, but it adds unnecessary regulations for someone like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Teacher (New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step forward in preventing school shootings and protecting children.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Police Officer (Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a law enforcer, I think it's important to regulate gun safety, especially with children around.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Construction Worker (Ohio)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about the cost to comply, but I see the importance of keeping guns away from my kids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Lawyer (Colorado)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I understand the safety aspect, I'm concerned about potential overreach affecting gun rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Minnesota)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change makes me feel safer about my siblings back home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Firearm Instructor (Georgia)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm all for education and safety, so I see this as an opportunity to increase awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Freelancer (Oregon)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a needed step but not enough on its own to address gun violence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $400000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $350000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $550000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $500000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $400000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- Safety of minors is a primary concern and social benefit that might justify the high initial costs.
- Enforcement and compliance mechanisms should be well established to ensure effectiveness.
- Public response and adaptation to storage regulations can vary, influencing cost and compliance rates.
- Possible challenges in insurance markets as household liabilities shift.
- Social benefits, such as reduced juvenile crime rates, could lead to long-term economic and societal gains.