Amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require the safe storage of firearms, and for other purposes.

Summary

Creates a new federal crime for failing to securely store or keep a firearm on residential property when the owner knows or reasonably should know that a minor (under 18) is likely to gain access or that a resident is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Penalties include a civil fine for each violation, and up to 5 years imprisonment (and fines) if an unsecured firearm is obtained by a minor or prohibited person and causes injury or death. The bill also adds a statutory "sense of Congress" that such failures constitute negligence for other legal purposes and adds an entry to federal crime-control law establishing a Firearm Safe Storage Program (text of the program is not provided). A severability clause preserves the rest of the law if any part is struck down.

• Creates a federal offense for failing to securely store a firearm when a minor or a prohibited resident could access it.
• Defines a minor as anyone under 18 and uses a "knows or reasonably should know" standard for owner awareness.
• Imposes a $500 fine per violation and up to 5 years imprisonment (and fines) if an unsecured firearm obtained by a minor or ineligible person causes injury or death.
• Authorizes seizure and forfeiture of firearms stored in violation under existing federal forfeiture law.
• Adds a nonbinding "Sense of Congress" stating such failures are negligent and should be treated as legal/proximate cause when they are the but-for cause of harm.
• Adds a placeholder for a federal Firearm Safe Storage Program but provides no program details, authorities, or funding in the supplied text.
• Includes a severability clause to preserve the remainder of the law if parts are invalidated.
• Applies where the firearm has moved in or affected interstate commerce (the usual federal jurisdictional hook).
• Contains limited exceptions for firearms carried on the owner's person or within immediate reach; one exception clause in the text appears incomplete.