Summary#
This bill, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act, would require written safe-storage notices and safe-storage devices with certain firearm sales, create public guidance on safe firearm storage, fund programs to distribute storage devices, and create a temporary tax credit related to storage device sales.
Key parts of the bill text:
- The Attorney General must develop voluntary best practices on safe firearm storage for places such as businesses, vehicles, private homes, and off-site storage. The AG must give at least 90 days public notice and hold hearings before establishing the guidance, publish it within one year, post it on a public website, and review it at least annually.
- Starting January 1, 2029, licensed manufacturers and licensed importers that serialize at least 250 firearms a year must provide a clear written notice with each handgun, rifle, or shotgun they manufacture or import. The notice must say "SAFE STORAGE SAVES LIVES" and show the address of the Attorney General's safe-storage website.
- The bill amends an existing federal provision (section 922(z)) by replacing the word "handgun" with "handgun, rifle, or shotgun", with that change taking effect 180 days after enactment.
- The Attorney General may award grants to States and Indian Tribes to develop and run Safe Firearm Storage Assistance Programs that acquire and distribute safe firearm storage devices. The bill defines "safe firearm storage device" (combination lock, key lock, or biometric lock that prevents opening without the correct input) and sets application and reporting rules for grantees.
- Authorized funding: $10,000,000 per year for each fiscal year 2027 through 2037 to carry out the grant program, to remain available until expended. Grantees must use at least 75% of funds to create or provide program resources and may use up to 25% to support nonprofit partners.
- The bill creates a new federal tax credit (section 45BB) for businesses: a credit equal to 10 percent of amounts received from the first retail sale of a qualifying safe firearm storage device for use in the United States, limited to $400 per device. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after enactment and terminates for sales after December 31, 2035. The Secretary of the Treasury must publish an annual report on total credits claimed, disaggregated by State.
- The bill includes a severability clause.
What it means for you#
- If you buy a firearm from a licensed source, the bill would require that a written safe-storage notice and a qualifying safe-storage device be provided as part of the sale (the bill text requires notices from certain manufacturers/importers and amends existing federal requirements to include rifles and shotguns). Specific implementation details for dealers and all sellers depend on how amendments to existing law are applied.
- The Attorney General will publish voluntary best-practice guidance on storing firearms in homes, vehicles, businesses, and off-site storage, and update it at least yearly.
- State and Tribal programs may receive federal grants to give out locks or other qualifying storage devices.
- Manufacturers or retailers of qualifying storage devices could claim a business tax credit equal to 10% of the first retail sale amount (up to $400 per device) for sales in the effective period.
Expenses#
- The bill authorizes $10,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2037 for the Attorney General to carry out the safe-storage device grant program, to remain available until expended.
- No publicly available information on other federal cost estimates, enforcement costs, or impacts on state or local budgets in the provided text.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information in the provided bill text or metadata describing supporters' stated reasons, arguments, or claimed benefits.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information in the provided bill text or metadata describing opponents' stated objections or concerns.