Sen. Larson authors bill in Wisconsin Senate on firearm storage around children

The new bill authored by State Sen. Chris Larson in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to enhance firearm storage safety to protect children from accidental access, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “storage of a firearm in a residence if child is present and providing a penalty”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill prohibits individuals from storing or leaving a firearm at their residence if they live with or are aware a child under 18 will be present, unless the firearm is in a securely locked box or container, or a trigger lock is engaged. The bill, which goes into effect July 1, replaces the existing law that targets reckless storage leading to a child obtaining and misusing a firearm. A first-time offender is charged with a Class A misdemeanor, and subsequent offenses are classified as Class I felonies. It addresses the role of district attorneys in considering the emotional impact on parents involved in accidental shootings when determining whether to file a complaint, and mandates a seven-day waiting period before law enforcement can arrest a parent or guardian after such incidents.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Lisa Subeck (Democrat-79th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District), Senator Kelda Roys (Democrat-26th District), Senator Jeff Smith (Democrat-31st District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), and Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), along 20 other co-sponsors.

Chris Larson has authored or co-authored another 83 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.

Larson graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2007 with a BA.

Larson, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2011 to represent the state’s 7th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jeffrey Plale.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.