Skip to main content
HR 814 105th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Accident prevention Ammunition Business records Child safety Commerce Consumer education Emergency Management Families Fines (Penalties) Firearms Firearms control Firearms injuries Government Operations and Politics Government paperwork Health Judicial review of administrative acts Law Product safety Retail trade

To prevent children from injuring themselves with firearms.

Introduced: February 25, 1997 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 5, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Feb 25, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 25, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E299-300)
Feb 25, 1997
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Prohibits a person from leaving a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition, any of which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, in a manner that the person knows or reasonably should know is likely to be accessible to a juvenile, unless the person has given the juvenile permission to possess the firearm and the possession is under the supervision of an adult who is not prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from possessing a firearm. Requires that: (1) licensed dealers post a copy of such prohibition; and (2) notice be included on the form required to be obtained by licensed dealers from prospective firearms transferees. Makes it an affirmative defense that the firearm was left in a locked, opaque box or with a trigger locking device installed. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, to impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a violation. Limits judicial review of the Secretary's action.

Prohibits, with exceptions, the sale of a firearm by a licensed dealer to any person unless, before the sale, the dealer has offered to sell the purchaser a trigger locking device, explained its operation, and had the person indicate in writing that the person understands that trigger locking devices are available for purchase.

What's happening now March 5, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 814: To prevent children from injuring themselves with firearms.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-814/
MLA
"H.R. 814: To prevent children from injuring themselves with firearms.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-814/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 814, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-814/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 814: To prevent children from injuring themselves with firearms.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-814/)
Report a problem