Safe Storage Act Mandates Compatible Gun Locks With Every Firearm Sale, Not Just Handguns

The new Safe Storage Saves Lives Act is making a simple but significant change to federal gun laws: if you buy a firearm, you must be provided with a compatible safety device, like a gun lock. The key update here is that this requirement is expanding from only covering handguns to applying to all firearms, period.

This bill essentially updates several sections of the U.S. Code to ensure that whenever a firearm is transferred, the person doing the transferring (the “transferor”) is responsible for providing a lock that is compatible with that specific gun. It also clarifies that a "secure gun storage or safety device" is one where the safety feature is either included or built right into the device itself. For anyone buying a rifle or shotgun, this means getting a functional lock is now part of the deal, just like it has been for handguns.

The Mandatory Bundle: Sellers on the Hook

Section 4 of the Act introduces a new rule that will affect anyone selling a gun. It makes it illegal to sell a firearm unless the seller also offers a compatible secure gun storage or safety device for sale. Think of it like this: if you’re selling a drill, you have to at least offer the compatible drill bits. If you’re selling a gun, you must have the compatible lock available for purchase.

If a non-licensed individual (say, selling a firearm in a private transfer) violates this rule, the Attorney General can impose a civil fine of up to $1,000 per violation. For licensed dealers, the enforcement authority for these penalties is shifting from the Secretary (often the Treasury or Commerce Secretary, depending on the context) to the Attorney General. This centralization of enforcement under the Department of Justice signals a more streamlined approach to enforcing these specific safety rules.

What Does This Mean for Your Wallet and Safety?

For everyday people, this bill is mostly about safety and clarity. If you buy a firearm, you’re guaranteed to walk away with a tool to secure it, which could help prevent accidental shootings or unauthorized access by kids. This is especially relevant for those buying long guns, which were previously exempt from this mandatory lock provision.

However, there’s a cost consideration. While the bill mandates that the lock be provided by the transferor (in the case of the transfer rule in Section 2) or offered for sale (in the case of the seller rule in Section 4), sellers—especially licensed dealers—will likely incorporate the cost of these mandatory devices into the overall price of the firearm. So, while you get a safety device, the overall transaction cost might tick up slightly.

Fines Fund Safety

One interesting provision is Section 5, the “Sense of the Congress.” It dictates that any money collected from fines related to these new gun transfer safety rules must be put back into public safety. Specifically, that fine money should be used to either provide free or low-cost gun storage devices to the public or to fund public awareness campaigns about the importance of safe storage. This creates a mechanism where violations of the safety rule directly fund efforts to promote gun safety, establishing a self-sustaining cycle for public good.