Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-37i, commonly known as Ethan's Law, establishes mandatory safe storage requirements for all firearms kept on premises under a person's control. The law is named after Ethan Song, a 15-year-old from Guilford, Connecticut who was fatally shot in January 2018 by an unsecured firearm in a neighbor's home.[1]
Legislative History
- 1999 (Original enactment): Required secure storage of loaded firearms in homes where minors under age 16 were present.
- 2019 (Public Act 19-5 -- Ethan's Law): Raised the age threshold from 16 to 18, expanded the requirement to include both loaded and unloaded firearms, and renamed the statute in honor of Ethan Song.[1]
- 2023 (HB 6667 / Public Act 23-53): Removed the age limitation entirely, making safe storage requirements apply universally regardless of whether minors are present. The law now applies to all firearms, loaded or unloaded, on any premises under the owner's control.[2]
Current Storage Requirements
Under the current version of CGS 29-37i, effective October 1, 2023, no person may store or keep any firearm on premises under their control unless one of the following conditions is met:[3]
- The firearm is securely locked in a box or other container, in a location that a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or
- The person carries the firearm on their person or within such close proximity that they can readily retrieve and use it as if it were carried on their body.
This means that a firearm left in an unlocked drawer, on a nightstand, or in any unsecured location violates the law -- even if no minor or prohibited person is present in the household. The only exception is when the owner is physically carrying the firearm or keeping it within arm's reach.
Criminal Penalties
The companion penalty statute, CGS 53a-217a, establishes that criminally negligent storage of a firearm is a Class D felony. A person is guilty of this offense when they violate the storage provisions of Section 29-37i and another person obtains the firearm and causes injury or death to themselves or any other person.[4] The penalties for a Class D felony include:
- Up to 5 years imprisonment
- A fine of up to $5,000
- Up to 5 years of probation
Civil Liability
In addition to criminal penalties, CGS 29-37i imposes strict civil liability on the firearm owner. If a violation of the safe storage requirement results in a person under the age of 18, a resident who is ineligible to possess firearms, or a person who poses a risk of imminent personal injury obtaining and using the firearm to cause harm, the owner is strictly liable for civil damages.[5] Strict liability means the injured party does not need to prove the owner was negligent -- only that the storage violation occurred and that harm resulted.
Parental Responsibility
CGS 53-206f creates an additional layer of responsibility for parents and guardians. A parent or guardian who fails to make a reasonable effort to remove a firearm from a minor known to possess it illegally may face separate penalties.[5]
What This Means for Gun Owners
Connecticut's safe storage law is among the most comprehensive in the nation. Firearms owners should invest in a gun safe, lockbox, or other secure container that meets the "reasonable person" standard. Simply placing a firearm in a locked room may not satisfy the requirement -- the statute specifies that the firearm itself must be in a locked container. Gun owners who carry on their person or keep a firearm within immediate reach are exempt, but the firearm must be secured whenever they are not in close proximity to it.