The failure to report lost or stolen firearms can result both in a violent crime being committed and in the firearm owner being suspected of having committed a violent crime.

In July 2017, Cosmo DiNardo stole his mother’s gun, using it to kill four men in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. DiNardo and his cousin were convicted of crimes related to the murders.  The families of the victims sued the Cosmo DiNardo’s parents, alleging liability in the killings as their son stole their gun. Six years after the murders, the civil case reportedly was settled.

With approximately 12,000 firearms reported as lost or stolen in the U.S. as of 2020 and nearly 80% of perpetrators of gun violence having lost or stolen guns in their possession, we must take action to inform gun owners of the risks of lost or stolen guns and ensure they report their lost or stolen guns, upon the discovery. That is why I will reintroduce legislation to require firearm owners to report the loss or theft of a firearm within 24 hours of the discovery of the loss or theft, and providing that firearm owners that fail to file reports may be held civilly liable for damages resulting from crimes committed with their lost or stolen firearm.

By doing so, we will ensure that firearm owners will issue timely reports to law enforcement, that law enforcement officers may quickly work to recover the firearm and protect firearm owners from mistaken accusations of gun violence, and that victims of a crime committed with an unreported lost or stolen firearm may seek damages for their injuries. This bill provides only for civil liability and does not provide for criminal sanctions.

Please join me in sponsoring this legislation.