H.R. 8619 — Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act

This section directs the Attorney General, not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act and after at least 90 days public notice and opportunity for hearing, to establish voluntary best practices for safe firearm storage solely for public education purposes. Those best practices must address preventing firearm loss, theft, and unauthorized access in (1) businesses, (2) vehicles, (3) private homes, (4) off-site storage facilities, and (5) any other locations the Attorney General deems appropriate; the Attorney General must publish them in print and on a public website not later than one year after enactment and review and update them annually.

This section requires licensed manufacturers and importers that serialize at least 250 firearms annually to provide a clear and conspicuous written notice stating “SAFE STORAGE SAVES LIVES” followed by the address of the Attorney General's public safe storage website with each manufactured or imported handgun, rifle, or shotgun beginning January 1, 2029. The notice must be attached to, adhered to, or appear on or within the packaging of each such firearm.

This section expands the requirement for licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers to provide secure gun storage or safety devices (i.e., devices that, when installed, prevent unauthorized operation) to sales or transfers of rifles and shotguns (from handguns only). The amendment takes effect 180 days after enactment.

This section establishes a Safe Firearm Storage Grant Program, under which the Attorney General may award grants to states and Indian tribes to develop, implement, and evaluate Safe Firearm Storage Assistance Programs (i.e., programs carried out by units of local government or Indian tribes to acquire and distribute safe firearm storage devices—such as those secured by combination, key, or biometric locks—to the public). Grantees must apply with details on supplemental funding sources; use at least 75% of funds for such programs in their jurisdiction and no more than 25% to partner with nonprofits for device purchase and distribution; and submit annual reports to the Attorney General on amounts distributed and devices provided (without personally identifiable information). Authorizes $10 million annually for FY2027 through FY2037, to remain available until expended; requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress beginning 13 months after the first grants are awarded, including grantee lists, funding amounts, and program data.

This section establishes a new general business tax credit equal to 10% of the amount received from the first retail sale of a qualified safe firearm storage device (i.e., a lock or safe for a firearm or ammunition designed to deny unauthorized access, secured by combination, key, or biometric lock) for use in the United States, capped at $400 per device (thus, a maximum credit of $40), for sales through December 31, 2035. The credit excludes devices incorporated into firearms or ammunition or subject to a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall and requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish an annual report of credits claimed, disaggregated by state. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after enactment.

This section establishes a severability clause, providing that the invalidation of any provision of the Act, any amendment made by the Act, or its application to any person or circumstance does not affect the remainder of the Act or its application to other persons or circumstances.