Federal Weapons Safety Act

Summary#

This bill adds a new section (3065) to chapter 203 of title 18. It requires the head of each civilian and military Federal law enforcement agency to set rules for safely locking and storing service firearms when they are not in use. Agencies must, subject to available appropriations, provide equipment needed to meet those rules. The bill lists minimum standards agencies must adopt: officers must use smart guns, smart locks, trigger locks, safes, gunlock boxes, or other agency-approved means to secure firearms; service firearms generally must not be stored in patrol or personal vehicles except temporarily or when authorized; and violations are grounds for discipline, with agencies instructed to consider minimum punishments. The bill also requires agencies to report any loss or theft of a service firearm to relevant state and local law enforcement and to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI. Agencies must ensure that people who assist them and carry firearms are trained in safe storage and must provide written materials about the statistical risks of keeping a firearm at home. The bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out these provisions and adds a clerical amendment to the chapter table of sections.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a Federal law enforcement officer, or someone who assists a Federal agency and carries a service firearm, your agency will set and require safe-storage rules you must follow. You may receive equipment from your agency to meet those rules and required training and written risk materials. You could face discipline if you violate the storage rules.
  • Agencies must report lost or stolen service firearms to state and local authorities and to the ATF and FBI, which the bill says is to help make information about such losses centrally available.
  • For members of the public, the bill creates reporting and training requirements but does not specify changes to civilian firearm rules.

Expenses#

The bill says agencies must provide equipment "subject to the availability of appropriations" and it authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to carry out the section. No specific funding amounts or total cost estimates are included in the bill text. No publicly available information on detailed budgetary effects is provided in the text.

Proponents' View#

The bill's stated purpose is to improve safety and security for service weapons used by Federal law enforcement officers. Its provisions focus on safe storage, reporting losses or thefts, training, and providing equipment to meet storage standards.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.