The "Prevent Family Fire Act of 2025" establishes a tax credit for the sale of safe firearm storage devices, capped at $400 per device, to encourage responsible gun storage practices. This credit is available until December 31, 2032, and aims to prevent unauthorized access to firearms.
Mike Levin
Representative
CA-49
The Prevent Family Fire Act of 2025 introduces a tax credit for manufacturers, set at 10% of revenue (up to $400), from the sale of safe firearm storage devices, excluding those integrated into firearms or subject to recall. This credit, effective for sales until 2032, aims to encourage responsible gun storage by offsetting the cost of devices secured by combination, key, or biometric locks. The Treasury Secretary will oversee credit recapture and report annually on credit claims by state. This credit can be applied against regular income tax as well as alternative minimum tax.
Tax Break on Gun Safes: New Bill Offers Up to $400 Credit
The Prevent Family Fire Act of 2025 aims to make homes safer by offering a tax credit for buying gun safes. Starting after the enactment of this Act, the federal government will give you a tax break equal to 10% of the safe's price, up to a maximum of $400 per safe, when you buy it new.
Locking Down the Details
This bill, effective for purchases made after enactment, is all about encouraging safer gun storage to prevent accidents, suicides, and thefts. The credit applies to the first retail sale of a safe, meaning it's gotta be brand new, not a resale. The bill defines "safe firearm storage device" as something specifically designed to keep guns out of the wrong hands, using combination locks, key locks, or biometric locks. (SEC. 2). Devices that are part of the gun itself, or that have been recalled, don't count. (SEC. 2).
Real-World Impact
Imagine a family with young kids. They've been on the fence about getting a gun safe because of the cost. This credit could be the nudge they need. Let's say they buy a safe for $500. They could get a $50 credit (10% of $500), making that safe a bit more affordable. Or, if a small business owner who sells gun safes, they could use this credit to, potentially, offer a discount, which will be a tax credit for them. The goal is that more safes in homes mean fewer accidents, especially with curious kids around. By reducing unauthorized access to firearms, the bill aims to cut down on preventable tragedies. The bill also requires annual reports from the Treasury, broken down by state, on how many people are claiming this credit (SEC. 2). This will provide some insight into the bill's impact over time.
Potential Snags
While the goal is straightforward, there are always potential hitches. The bill sets up rules to get the credit back if it's claimed improperly or is too high (SEC. 2). The Treasury Secretary will be setting up those rules, and it's not clear yet how easy it will be to police this. The credit also sunsets at the end of 2032, so this isn't a forever deal (SEC. 2). It's also worth noting that while there is no direct conflict of interest, the bill sponsor's top donors are in sectors that could indirectly see a small benefit from the bill's broader economic effects.