DeLauro Introduces Ethan’s Law in Honor of Guilford Teen

A video of the press conference with the Song family, Members of Congress, and advocates is available here.

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) introduced Ethan's Law—safe gun storage legislation in memory of Ethan Song—in the House of Representatives. The bill honors the memory of Ethan Song—a Guilford teenager who accidentally shot himself with an unsecured gun in early 2018. Ethan's Law would set federal standards for safe gun storage, as well as give states incentives to create and implement safe gun storage laws. Last week, the Connecticut House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed Ethan's Law by a vote of 127-16.

"What happened to Ethan Song was tragic. No parent should have to lose their child because of an unsecured gun, and that is what Ethan's Law is about," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). "I am proud to join Mike and Kristin Song, whose dedication and strength knows no bounds, in this fight. 4.6 million children live in homes with at least one gun that is loaded and unlocked. That means millions of kids are at risk to endure the same heartbreak. We cannot let that happen. Safe gun storage is a bipartisan issue on which we can all agree. And we must: our children's lives depend on it."

"Not a single person on earth can change the past, but every one of us can change the future," said Mike and Kristin Song, parents of Ethan Song. "We are here to keep kids safe and honor Ethan's life."

"As someone whose life was forever changed by an accidental gunshot, this issue is personal to me," said Congressman James Langevin (RI-02), who last Congress introduced the Child Gun Access Prevention Act to protect children from unsecured firearms. "The reforms in this bill are commonsense, non-partisan, and supported by the majority of gun owners. Most importantly, they will protect our children. I applaud Congresswoman DeLauro and Senator Blumenthal for introducing this legislation in honor of their constituent, Ethan Song, and I look forward to working with them to get it passed."

"What happened to Kristin and Mike Song is literally a parent's worst nightmare," said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). "Ethan's death was tragic, needless, and senseless. I've been with the Song family on the green in Guilford, in the snow, in Fairfield, Connecticut, and all around the state as they have told their story – reliving their pain so that it would produce some common sense. Responsible gun owners already abide by these rules right now. Connecticut is at the forefront of this effort, but state laws around the country are inconsistent and contradictory – that's why we need a federal standard."

"Your gun should be stored safely, period—but especially if a child is in the home," said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). "Too many lives have been lost due to children getting access to a weapon that's not securely stored. I'm proud to join Senator Blumenthal and Congresswoman DeLauro in introducing this legislation to honor Ethan's life, and I'm proud that the Connecticut General Assembly has taken the first step to passing it into law."

"Encouraging safe storage practices will save many lives by keeping firearms away from children and dangerous individuals," said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance and Board Member of States United to Prevent Gun Violence. "We spent yesterday meeting with Republican offices and we all agreed that gun storage is a requirement for responsible gun ownership. It's time for all Members of Congress—Democrats and Republicans—to unite to pass Ethan's Law."

"In Connecticut we saw an opportunity—through the Songs, and Ethan's Law—to come together in an unprecedented way to pass bipartisan legislation to prevent gun deaths," said Melissa Kane, Chair of the Board for Connecticut Against Gun Violence. "We have that opportunity, at the national level, right here, right now."

"This is about responsible gun ownership and saving lives," said Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. "I am proud to stand with Rep. DeLauro and Rep. Langevin to introduce Ethan's Law today that will set federal standards for the safe storage of firearms and help prevent unspeakable tragedies."

"I am proud to join Congresswoman DeLauro and Ethan's parents, Mike and Kristin Song, in introducing this common sense proposal to establish federal standards for gun safety storage," said Congressman John Larson (CT-01). "This legislation would ensure that firearms are stored properly to help keep guns out of the wrong hands and prevent other tragic accidents."

"It is an honor to stand with the Song family, who have courageously stepped forward after their tragic loss of Ethan to address a critical flaw in America's gun storage laws," said Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02). "The progress they've made in Hartford and now in Washington with introduction of Ethan's Law is an impressive example for all citizens about making our country safer."

"Loaded or unloaded, a gun should never be left in an unsecure container," said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). "It is vitally important that we make the necessary changes to ensure that no family has to worry about their children having access to a gun, and that all firearms are properly secured. It breaks my heart that the need for this bill exists, but I am proud to support this effort to help put an end to gun violence, and I thank Kristin and Mike Song, Congresswoman DeLauro, Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, and Newtown Action Alliance for their leadership on this important issue. My home state of CT is working to pass this common sense legislation, and Congress should too."

"Today, I proudly stand with Ethan Song's parents, my colleagues, and gun safety advocacy organizations in supporting a new bill that would ensure improperly-secured firearms do not fall into the hands of children and people legally prohibited from possessing guns," said Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26). "Safe gun storage is responsible gun ownership. We can save lives and bring awareness to this issue so no parent goes through what Mike and Kristin Song have gone through and have so courageously spoken out about. We must pass Ethan's Law in the House and Senate, so President Trump can quickly sign it into law."