Guns and the Child Access Prevention Law

Firearms can be found in about 1/3 of American homes; even more people store a gun at a shooting range or other facility. Many gun owners point to the usefulness of firearms in hunting and home protection, but these weapons also have a tragic downside. Over 500 children in our country are killed every year in preventable gun accidents.

To reduce the rate of these terrible accidents, all gun owners have a duty to keep their gun out of the hands of children. In some states, including Florida, this duty has also been written into law. If your child has been hurt because a gun owner failed to take necessary safety precautions, Jacksonville gun injury attorney Don Guthrie, P.A. can help.

Florida’s Child Access Prevention Law

Gun owners’ responsibilities towards children in the community are spelled out in the Child Access Prevention (CAP) law. Under CAP, gun owners need to ensure that children under the age of 16 never have easy access to any of their firearms. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor if no injuries result; if a child uses an adult’s gun to injure himself or others, the gun owner could face felony charges.

In addition to criminal penalties, people who violate the CAP law could face consequences in a civil court. Any adult who has been injured by this negligent behavior, or the guardians of an injured child, may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. A Jacksonville childhood gun injury lawyer can provide more information.

Contact Us

Jacksonville childhood gun accident attorney Don Guthrie, P.A. is prepared to take on your case and fight for your rights. Contact our offices at 904-296-1088.