Expressing support for the designation of June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day to promote children's health and secure storage of guns in the home.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 523
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T15:18:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 523) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day. The goal is to promote children's health by encouraging parents to ask about secure gun storage in homes, aiming to prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths among children and teens.
Key Provisions
- Support for Designation: The resolution endorses National ASK Day to urge parents to ask two key questions before their child visits another home: "Is there a gun in your house?" and, if yes, "Is it locked and unloaded?"
- Encouragement for Professionals: It calls on public health workers, doctors, and other experts to discuss gun ownership, safety, and secure storage with patients, parents, and guardians of minors.
- Promotion of ASK Campaign Goals: It highlights the campaign's role in raising awareness about safe gun storage as a preventive measure against "family fire" incidents (unintentional shootings involving improperly stored guns).
The resolution is supported by various "whereas" clauses citing statistics on firearm deaths in children, the prevalence of unsecured guns in homes, and the effectiveness of the ASK program, which originated with the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000 and is now run by the Brady Campaign.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or regulations. It serves as a symbolic statement of support rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: May increase parental awareness and conversations about gun safety, potentially reducing unintentional firearm injuries or deaths among children (e.g., statistics note 22 children/teens affected daily and 4.6 million kids in homes with loaded, unlocked guns).
- On Government Agencies: Could encourage federal and state health agencies to promote similar public awareness efforts, though it imposes no mandates.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses on domestic child safety and gun storage.
- Broader Effects: Reinforces public health approaches to preventing gun violence, especially during summer when children spend more time at others' homes, without addressing gun ownership laws.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Parents and Guardians: Directly encouraged to adopt the ASK questions to protect their children.
- Children and Teens: Primary beneficiaries, as the initiative targets reducing firearm-related risks in homes and during playdates.
- Gun Owners: Prompted to consider secure storage practices to prevent accidents.
- Medical and Public Health Professionals: Urged to integrate gun safety discussions into routine care.
- Organizations: Groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Brady Campaign, and its chapters benefit from official recognition and potential increased visibility for their programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and does not infringe on Second Amendment rights (which protect gun ownership); it focuses on voluntary safety measures.
- Constitutional: Aligns with public health initiatives under Congress's general welfare powers but avoids mandating behavior, respecting individual privacy and property rights.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) for child safety amid debates on gun violence; it validates the ASK program as the only nationally evaluated effective initiative per a 2017 Government Accountability Office report, potentially influencing future policy discussions without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-06-20: Submitted in House
- 2025-06-20: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the designation of June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day to promote children’s health and secure storage of guns in the home. — issued 2025-06-20 — PDF (3 pages)