SECURE Firearm Storage Act

Full Title:
SECURE Firearm Storage Act

Summary#

This bill adds a new security rule to 18 U.S.C. 923 that applies to federally licensed firearm importers, manufacturers, and dealers. It requires those licensees to keep each firearm in their business inventory at the licensed premises. When the business is closed, each firearm must either be secured with a 1/4 inch hardened steel rod placed through the trigger-guard area and locked with a hardened-steel lock (the lock must be shielded from bolt cutters and the rod anchored to the premises) or stored in a locked fireproof safe, locked gun cabinet (non-steel cabinets must have each firearm inside secured by the hardened-steel rod), or a locked vault. The bill also requires paper business records of inventory and firearm transactions to be kept at the premises in a secure location such as a locked fireproof safe or locked vault when the business is closed.

The Attorney General may write rules to add more security measures, such as alarm and camera systems, site hardening, protections for electronic records, and other theft-reduction measures. The bill adds penalties to 18 U.S.C. 924 for failing to follow these security rules: for a first violation a civil penalty of $1,000 to $10,000; for a second violation the license must be suspended until the violation is fixed and a civil penalty may apply; for a third violation the license must be revoked and a civil penalty may apply. The bill also changes the license application to require a description of how the applicant will comply with the new security rules and says the Attorney General must find that description acceptable.

The bill sets the effective date for the firearm storage rules to one year after enactment and the paper records storage rules to 90 days after enactment.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer: you must keep your inventory at the licensed premises and secure firearms when the business is closed using the methods the bill lists (hardened-steel rod and lock with anchoring, locked fireproof safe, locked gun cabinet with extra locks for non-steel cabinets, or locked vault). You must store paper inventory and transaction records in a secure location on the premises when closed. Your license application must describe how you will meet these rules. The Attorney General can add more security requirements by regulation. Violations can bring civil fines, suspension, or revocation of the license.
  • If you are not a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer: the text of the bill does not create new duties for you.

Expenses#

  • Civil penalties in the bill: first violation $1,000 to $10,000; second violation may include the same civil penalty and requires suspension until cured; third violation may include the same civil penalty and requires revocation of the license. These penalty amounts are specified in the bill text.
  • No publicly available information on other costs, budget estimates, or expected financial impacts for licensees, regulators, or the federal government in the bill text or metadata provided.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.