Senate postpones safe‑storage child‑access measure after amendment and public input

Senate Bill 344, introduced by President Pro Tem Barrow, aims to reduce accidental child shootings by promoting secure firearm storage and, in the sponsor’s amendments, by replacing criminal jail-time penalties with mandated safety training for adults in certain cases.

Barrow said she reduced the covered age in amendments from 18 toward 13 in response to concerns and removed jail as a penalty in favor of an in‑person certified home-firearm safety course to be completed within six months of sentencing. "When I look at this bill, I feel like I have really modified it a lot to address many of the concerns," Barrow said as she offered amendment set 1503, which the committee adopted by unanimous consent.

Mother Pearl Porter, a community member from zip code 70805, testified in support and urged education and accessible solutions rather than punitive measures: "I'm... pulling for us mothers to come together," she said, arguing that education and locks could prevent tragedies without further harming families.

Everett Bodion, representing the Louisiana Shooting Association, raised technical objections: he distinguished child-access prevention from prohibiting access by 'prohibited persons,' questioned the statutory definition of a tamper‑resistant trigger lock and warned that some commonly used gun locks might not meet the bill’s definition. He cautioned that overly broad language could criminalize lawful owners in ordinary household situations.

Committee members—including Senator Miguez—urged expanded education and pointed to existing free resources and school-based curricula (Eddie Eagle). Barrow said she is open to working with stakeholders on access to training and connectivity barriers in parts of Baton Rouge.

After adopting amendments and hearing testimony, President Pro Tem Barrow moved to defer SB344 until next week to allow further work; there was no objection and the bill was deferred.