H.R. 1097 — SECURE Firearm Storage Act

This section establishes the short title of the Act as the “Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective Firearm Storage Act” or the “SECURE Firearm Storage Act.”

This section establishes new security requirements for federally licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, and dealers under 18 U.S.C. § 923 by requiring them to describe in their license applications how they will comply with the new standards and by authorizing the Attorney General to deny a license if the proposed compliance plan would not satisfy those standards. It requires licensees to keep each firearm in business inventory at the licensed premises and, when the premises are closed, to store firearms either by securing each firearm with a 1/4-inch hardened steel rod and lock system or in a locked fireproof safe, locked gun cabinet, or locked vault. It also requires paper records of inventory, firearm transactions, and other firearm dispositions to be stored in a secure location, such as a locked fireproof safe or locked vault, when the premises are closed. The Attorney General may also issue additional security regulations, including requirements for alarm and security camera systems, site hardening, protection of electronic records, and other theft-prevention measures. This section further creates civil penalties for noncompliance: a first violation is subject to a penalty of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000, a second violation requires suspension of the license until the violation is cured and may also carry the same civil penalty, and a third violation requires revocation of the license and may also carry the same civil penalty. The firearm storage requirements take effect 1 year after enactment, and the paper-record storage requirements take effect 90 days after enactment.