Louisiana Bill to Criminalize Improper Firearm Storage Fails

Proposed legislation aimed at protecting minors rejected by Senate committee

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A close-up view of a handgun resting on a wooden table, the scene bathed in warm, dramatic lighting that creates a sense of melancholy and unease, reflecting the emotional consequences of unintentional gun deaths of children.The defeat of a bill aimed at improving firearm storage to protect minors casts a pall over the ongoing debate over gun control in Louisiana.Baton Rouge Today

A bill proposed by Louisiana State Senator Regina Ashford Barrow that would have criminalized unsecured firearm storage when minors or prohibited persons could access the weapons was rejected by the Senate Judiciary C Committee. The bill was opposed by Republican lawmakers and representatives of the Louisiana Shooting Association, who argued it was unnecessary and too broad.

Why it matters

The failed legislation highlights the ongoing debate over gun control and child safety measures in Louisiana, a state with high rates of gun deaths, particularly among young people. The outcome reflects the political challenges of passing stricter firearm regulations in the state.

The details

Sen. Barrow's bill would have imposed fines and jail time on parents or guardians who failed to properly secure firearms if a minor or prohibited person gained access. However, the measure was opposed by Sen. Blake Miguez and five other Republican committee members, who voted against its advancement. Barrow was the sole supporter. Representatives of the Louisiana Shooting Association argued the bill was unnecessary, citing other leading causes of child deaths like drowning, and suggested alternatives like gun safety education instead.

  • The bill was proposed and rejected during the 2026 legislative session.

The players

Sen. Regina Ashford Barrow

The Democratic state senator who proposed the firearm storage bill.

Sen. Blake Miguez

The Republican state senator who led opposition to the bill and is running for Congress.

Daniel E. Zelenka II

The president of the Louisiana Shooting Association, who argued the bill was unnecessary.

Everett Chase Baudean

The vice president of the Louisiana Shooting Association, who said the bill was too broad and would hinder self-defense.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'The bottom line is they don't want to change,'”

— Rep. Barrow

“'To put it into perspective, there's almost a thousand deaths amongst this age group from drowning every year, but we're not criminalizing swimming pools,'”

— Daniel E. Zelenka II, President, Louisiana Shooting Association

“'gatekeeps effective self-defense.'”

— Everett Chase Baudean, Vice President, Louisiana Shooting Association

What’s next

Sen. Barrow has indicated she plans to continue advocating for the bill in future legislative sessions, though it faces an uphill battle given the opposition from Republican lawmakers and gun rights groups.

The takeaway

The failed attempt to pass stricter firearm storage laws in Louisiana underscores the political challenges of enacting gun control measures in a state with strong gun rights advocacy and high rates of gun violence, especially among young people.