The World Assembly:
AWARE that many nations permit and/or encourage their citizens to keep firearms for various lawful purposes, including sport and family protection;
ALSO AWARE that firearms create a risk of serious injury and death not only for home invaders but for family members as well;
WORRIED that children, because of their youth and inexperience, are particularly susceptible to the risk of serious injury and death posed by firearms;
CONVINCED that many of the risks to children posed by firearms could be reduced by simple safety measures;
RESOLVED that member nations have an obligation to ensure that children are protected from the risks posed by firearms kept in their home;
Hereby,
-
DEFINES a “child” for the purposes of this Act as “any individual under the national threshold of majority, or equivalent;”
-
DECLARES that it is unlawful for an individual to intentionally provide a firearm to a child, or to negligently allow a child to access a firearm;
-
REQUIRES that any firearm kept or stored in the home of a child be secured in a reasonable manner to eliminate the risk of injury or death to the child;
-
CLARIFIES that notwithstanding the above provisions, it is not unlawful under this Act to provide a firearm to a child (or allow a child to access a firearm) if that child has received an education in firearm safety and proper use, and has demonstrated knowledge thereof;
-
CLARIFIES that notwithstanding the above provisions, it is not unlawful under this Act to provide a firearm to a child under proper supervision for the purposes of educating the child in firearm safety and proper use;
-
MANDATES that an individual who lives in the same home as a child, or who may regularly encounter a child, must demonstrate knowledge of proper firearm use and safety before acquiring a firearm; especially, knowledge of how to reduce the risk posed by a firearm to the health and safety of children;
-
AFFIRMS that nothing in this Act affects the ability of member nations to legalize or prohibit firearm ownership through national or international law.