I
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 816
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 2, 2023
Mr. Schneider (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Raskin, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Norton, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Khanna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to require federally licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, and dealers to meet certain requirements with respect to securing their firearms inventory, business records, and business premises.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective Firearm Storage Act
or the SECURE Firearm Storage Act
.
Security requirements for federally licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, and dealers
In general
Section 923 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Security requirements
Relation to provision governing gun shows
This subsection shall apply to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer except as provided in subsection (j).
Firearm storage
In general
A person who is a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer shall keep and store each firearm in the business inventory of the licensee at the premises covered by the license.
Means of storage
When the premises covered by the license are not open for business, the licensee shall, with respect to each firearm in the business inventory of the licensee—
secure the firearm with a hardened steel rod 1/4 inch thick through the space between the trigger guard, and the frame or receiver, of the firearm, with—
the steel rod secured by a hardened steel lock that has a shackle;
the lock and shackle protected or shielded from the use of a bolt cutter; and
the rod anchored to prevent the removal of the firearm from the premises; or
store the firearm in—
a locked fireproof safe;
a locked gun cabinet (and if the locked gun cabinet is not steel, each firearm within the cabinet shall be secured with a hardened steel rod 1/4 inch thick, protected or shielded from the use of a bolt cutter and anchored to prevent the removal of the firearm from the premises); or
a locked vault.
Paper record storage
When the premises covered by the license are not open for business, the licensee shall store each paper record of the business inventory and firearm transactions of, and other dispositions of firearms by, the licensee at the premises in a secure location such as a locked fireproof safe or locked vault.
Additional security requirements
The Attorney General may, by regulation, prescribe such additional security requirements as the Attorney General determines appropriate with respect to the firearms business conducted by a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, such as requirements relating to the use of—
alarm and security camera systems;
site hardening;
measures to secure any electronic record of the business inventory and firearm transactions of, and other dispositions of firearms by, the licensee; and
other measures necessary to reduce the risk of theft at the business premises of a licensee.
.
Penalties
Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Penalties for noncompliance with firearms licensee security requirements
In general
Penalty
With respect to a violation by a licensee of section 923(m) or a regulation issued under that section, the Attorney General, after notice and opportunity for hearing—
in the case of the first violation or related series of violations on the same date, shall subject the licensee to a civil penalty in an amount equal to not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000;
in the case of the second violation or related series of violations on the same date—
shall suspend the license issued to the licensee under this chapter until the licensee cures the violation; and
may subject the licensee to a civil penalty in an amount provided in clause (i); or
in the case of the third violation or related series of violations on the same date—
shall revoke the license issued to the licensee under this chapter; and
may subject the licensee to a civil penalty in an amount provided in clause (i).
Review
An action of the Attorney General under this paragraph may be reviewed only as provided under section 923(f).
Administrative remedies
The imposition of a civil penalty or suspension or revocation of a license under paragraph (1) shall not preclude any administrative remedy that is otherwise available to the Attorney General.
.
Application requirement
Section 923 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a), in the second sentence, by striking be in such form and contain only that
and inserting describe how the applicant plans to comply with subsection (m) and shall be in such form and contain only such other
; and
in subsection (d)(1)—
in subparagraph (F), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
the Attorney General determines that the description in the application of how the applicant plans to comply with subsection (m) would, if implemented, so comply.
.
Effective dates
Initial firearm storage requirements
Section 923(m)(2) of title 18, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Initial paper records storage requirements
Section 923(m)(3) of title 18, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.