Reps. Menefee and Dean Introduce the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressmembers Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) and Madeleine Dean (PA-04) introduced the Kimberly Vaughn Firearm Safe Storage Act, legislation aimed at increasing education and awareness around safe firearm storage and preventing tragedies caused by unsecured firearms.
The bill is named in honor of Kimberly Vaughan, one of the 10 lives tragically stolen during the May 18, 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas. Kimberly was sitting in her art class when a classmate opened fire using firearms taken from his father that had been left unsecured in the home.
The legislation would require federally licensed firearm manufacturers, importers, and dealers to provide written safe storage information and a safe storage device with every firearm sold. It would also direct the Department of Justice to develop and distribute best practices for safe firearm storage and establish a grant program to help communities access safe storage devices. In addition, the bill would create a federal tax credit to make firearm safes and storage devices more affordable for American families seeking to responsibly own a firearm.
“Safe firearm storage is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent gun violence, suicides, accidental shootings, and to keep stolen weapons from ending up in the wrong hands.” said Rep. Menefee. “That’s why I am proud to team up with Rep. Dean on this commonsense bill to increase education and awareness around safe firearm storage so we can prevent further tragedies like the Santa Fe High School shooting and keep our communities safe.”
“As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to keep our communities, especially our kids, safe — yet the leading cause of death for minors in the U.S. is gun violence,” said Rep. Dean. “Unsafe storage and unsupervised firearm use is an enormous danger to our children and teens. The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act will better equip legal gun owners with safe storage practices. I’m thankful to Congressman Menefee for his leadership on this legislation. We can save lives.”
“Unsecured firearms that are unlocked and loaded in the home increase the risk of intentional and unintentional gun violence. More than 73 percent of children aged 5 to 14 know where their parents keep their firearms, and more than a third have handled those guns without their parents’ knowledge. Moreover, over 90 percent of guns used in accidental shootings of children that resulted in death were left unsecured. The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act will educate, encourage, and incentivize secure firearm storage practices to keep all our loved ones safe. Brady thanks Representative Menefee for championing this lifesaving bill in his first year in office that will prevent unauthorized access to deadly weapons and reduce instances of family fire and other gun violence,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady United.
Unsecured firearms contribute to preventable injuries, deaths, and gun thefts across the United States each year. Hundreds of thousands of firearms are stolen annually from homes and vehicles, with many later recovered in connection to violent crimes, including robberies and homicides. Research has consistently found that safe firearm storage practices, including the use of gun safes, lock boxes, and trigger locks, can reduce accidental shootings, youth access to firearms, and firearm suicides.
The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act is not about restricting lawful gun ownership. It is about promoting responsible firearm storage and helping prevent avoidable tragedies through education, awareness, and access to safe storage devices.
Congressman Menefee spoke on the House Floor to highlight this legislation and raise awareness about the importance of safe firearm storage. To watch the video, click here or below.
View the full bill text HERE.