§ 54-338. Responsibilities of owners of firearms with respect to minors.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to store or keep any loaded firearm on any premises under his control if he knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the parent or guardian of the minor unless such person keeps the firearm in a securely locked box or other container or in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure, uses a trigger lock, gun lock or gun locking device on the firearm, or carries the firearm on his person or within such close proximity thereto that he can readily retrieve and use it as if he carried it on his person.

(b)

A person is guilty of violation of this section if, and only if, he violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and as a consequence of such violation a minor obtains the firearm and either causes or attempts to cause the injury or death of himself or any other person or causes the firearm to fire.

(c)

The provisions of this section shall not apply if the minor obtains the firearm as a result of an unlawful entry to any premises, including a motor vehicle, by any person.

(d)

Each person who engages in the retail sale of any firearm shall provide to the purchaser, at the time of sale of any such firearm, a trigger lock, gun lock or gun locking device appropriate for such firearm; and a written warning which shall state in block letters not less than one inch in height: "UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE."

(1)

Each such person shall conspicuously post and at all times display at each service counter used for such retail sale (or if there are no service counters, at each exit) the warning specified in this section.

(2)

Any person who violates any provision of subsection (d) this section shall be fined not less than $500.00 for each violation.

(e)

For the purposes of this section the term "minor" shall mean any person under the age of 17 years.

(Code 1956, § 42-54.2)