All guns should be stored in a safe manner to prevent unauthorized access, injury, or death. If a minor accesses a gun that is negligently stored, the owner will face arrest and criminal penalties.
(a) It is the policy of the District of Columbia that each registrant should keep any firearm in his or her possession unloaded and either disassembled or secured by a trigger lock, gun safe, locked box, or other secure device.
(b) No person shall store or keep any firearm on any premises under their control if they know 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:
(1) Keeps the firearm in a securely locked box, secured container, or in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure; or
(2) Carries the firearm on their person or within such close proximity that they can readily retrieve and use it as if they carried it on their person.
(c) Penalties for criminally negligent storage of a firearm:
(1) A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of criminally negligent storage of a firearm and, except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than 180 days, or both.
(2) A person who violates subsection (b) of this section and the minor causes injury or death to themself or another shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(3) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not apply if the minor obtains the firearm as a result of an unlawful entry or burglary to any premises by any person.
Reference: DC Code § 7-2507.02