Assembly passes ‘Francesco’s Law’ requiring stronger safe-storage, reporting rules for firearms

The Assembly on a bipartisan vote approved legislation known as “Francesco’s Law” that tightens safe-storage expectations for firearms and requires statewide reporting of incidents in which unsecured guns are accessed by minors or other prohibited people.

Supporters framed the bill around the 2021 death of a 17‑year‑old, Francesco, who used an unsecured family firearm to take his own life. Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson, the bill sponsor, said the measure will combine public education, data collection and clearer accountability to reduce youth access to guns and prevent deaths.

The sponsor and backers said the bill does three things: it clarifies safe‑storage responsibilities for guns kept in homes; it directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to collect statewide data about incidents in which unsecured firearms are accessed by minors or by people legally prohibited from possessing firearms; and it creates a misdemeanor in cases where…