The SECURE Firearm Storage Act mandates that federally licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, and dealers must securely store firearms and paper records of firearm transactions at their business premises when closed, with penalties for noncompliance.
Bradley "Brad" Schneider
Representative
IL-10
The SECURE Firearm Storage Act mandates that federally licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, and dealers must secure all firearms in their inventory with hardened steel rods or locked in a safe when the business is closed. It also requires secure storage for paper records of firearm transactions and allows the Attorney General to set additional security requirements. Noncompliance can result in civil penalties, license suspension, or revocation, and all firearms license applications must include a plan for compliance with these new storage requirements.
New 'SECURE Firearm Storage Act' Mandates Tighter Security for Gun Dealers: Steel Rods, Locks, and Fireproof Safes Required Starting Next Year
The "Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective Firearm Storage Act" (or, thankfully, the "SECURE Firearm Storage Act" for short) is all about making gun shops beef up their security. Starting one year from now, federally licensed firearm importers, manufacturers, and dealers must secure every firearm in their inventory when the shop is closed. We're not talking about just locking the front door. This bill, as introduced, lays out some pretty specific rules.
Lockdown Procedures: What the SECURE Act Requires
When the shop is closed, each firearm has to be secured either with a hardened steel rod (at least 1/4 inch thick) through the trigger guard, locked and anchored to prevent removal, or stored in a locked, fireproof safe, gun cabinet, or vault. Think of it like this: if you're a bike shop owner, you wouldn't leave your most expensive bikes unlocked outside overnight, right? This is applying that same logic to firearms. The paper records of inventory and transactions also need to be locked up tight in a secure location (like a fireproof safe) when the business is closed, although this part kicks in sooner – 90 days after enactment. (Section 923(m)(2)).
The Price of Security: Costs and Penalties
This isn't just a suggestion; there are teeth to this law. The Attorney General can slap violators with fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per violation. First offense? It's a fine. Second offense? Your license is suspended until you fix the problem, plus a fine. Third strike? You're out – license revoked, and you still get hit with a fine. (Section 924(a)(3)(C)). The Attorney General also has the power to add more security requirements down the road, like alarm systems or security cameras (Section 923(m)(3)). This could mean added costs for businesses, especially smaller shops that might not have these measures already in place.
Real-World Rollout: From Application to Enforcement
Anyone applying for a federal firearms license will now have to include a detailed plan on how they'll comply with these new security rules (Section 923(d)(1)(F)(iii)). Think of it as showing your homework before you even get the assignment. The Attorney General has to sign off on that plan, ensuring it actually meets the requirements (Section 923(d)(1)(F)(iv)).
While the goal is clear – preventing gun theft from licensed dealers – the real-world impact will depend on how these rules are enforced and how businesses adapt. Will smaller gun shops struggle with the added costs? Will the Attorney General use their power to add even more requirements? These are questions that will only be answered as the law rolls out.