DE HB168

Renames the offense of "unlawfully permitting a minor access to a firearm" to "unsafe storage of a firearm" to emphasize firearm safety and proper storage practices.

Changes the crime from requiring that an unauthorized person (minor or someone prohibited by law from owning firearms) use the firearm to cause injury or death, to requiring only that an unauthorized person obtain access to a loaded firearm left within reach.

Reduces the base offense from a class A misdemeanor to a class B misdemeanor, but elevates it to class A if the unauthorized person commits or attempts a crime with the firearm, inflicts injury or death, or transfers the firearm to another unauthorized person.

Establishes affirmative defenses including that the firearm was stored in a locked box, disabled with a trigger lock, or secured in a location a reasonable person would believe safe from unauthorized access.

Grants the Superior Court jurisdiction over offenses under this section.