H.R. 4152 — Safe Storage Saves Lives Act

This section expands the requirement that a secure gun storage or safety device be provided—previously applicable only to handguns transferred by federal firearms licensees—to require any person transferring a firearm to provide a compatible gun lock. (Thus, the mandate now covers all firearms and applies to private transfers as well as sales by licensees.)

This section requires any person offering a firearm for sale to also offer for sale a compatible secure gun storage or safety device. Violations by persons who are not licensed importers, manufacturers, or dealers are subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 imposed by the Attorney General after notice and hearing. It makes conforming amendments to specify that penalties under existing law apply to licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers and to designate the Attorney General as the enforcing authority.

This section expresses the sense of Congress that fines collected for violations of 18 U.S.C. §922(z)(4) be used to distribute free or reduced-cost secure gun storage or safety devices or to fund public awareness campaigns about such devices.