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Bill

H 20

An act relating to establishing a voluntary firearms storage program for persons in crisis

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Yacovone

Establishes a voluntary program for secure, temporary storage of firearms during personal crises to reduce self-harm or harm to others.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 20

Summary of H 20 (2025-2026) — Vermont: An act relating to establishing a voluntary firearms storage program for persons in crisis

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a voluntary program to provide secure storage of firearms for individuals experiencing a personal crisis, with the aim of reducing the risk of self-harm, harm to others, or unsafe situations during periods of distress.
  • Aligns with broader public safety and crisis-intervention efforts by offering an accessible option to temporarily remove firearms from circulation at the request of the individual in crisis or a legally authorized proxy.

Key provisions and mechanisms

  • Voluntary participation: The program is voluntary for firearm owners who wish to temporarily store their weapons with a designated storage facility or program administrator.
  • Storage requirements: Firearms placed in the program must be stored securely and in compliance with applicable state and federal firearm safety standards. The bill would outline standards for secure storage, handling, and accountability.
  • Duration and terms: The act would specify the maximum duration of storage, renewal options, and conditions under which storage may be extended or terminated. It may also provide for emergency recall procedures if an individual requests to reclaim their firearm before the designated end date.
  • Eligibility and enrollment: Criteria for participation (e.g., voluntary request by the firearm owner or lawful proxy, consent of the owner, age considerations) and the enrollment process are defined.
  • Sanctions and liability: Provisions addressing liability protections for program participants and storage providers, as well as responsibilities in the event of loss, damage, or theft of stored firearms.
  • Privacy and recordkeeping: Safeguards to protect the privacy of participants, with limited and appropriate recordkeeping to verify program participation and retrieval, while avoiding unnecessary disclosure of personal information.
  • Funding and resources: Potential allocation of state funds, grants, or partnerships to establish and operate the storage program, including training for staff and public awareness campaigns.
  • Relationship to existing laws: Interaction with existing Vermont laws on firearm transfer, storage, and crisis intervention, ensuring the program does not conflict with prohibitions on possession for prohibited individuals.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals in crisis who own firearms: Given a voluntary path to temporarily store weapons to reduce risk during periods of mental health or safety crises.
  • Family members and household members: Possessing or managing firearms during a crisis may involve proxies or authorized individuals requesting storage on behalf of an eligible owner.
  • Storage providers or program administrators: Entities designated to accept, securely store, and later release firearms under the program, subject to compliance requirements.
  • Law enforcement and public safety agencies: May engage with the program for verification of participation or to coordinate recalls, retrieval, or enforcement as needed.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Initiation and referrals: The act becomes effective upon enactment or a specified effective date, with guidelines for how individuals learn about and enroll in the program.
  • Operational rollout: Potential phased implementation, including pilot phases, statewide adoption, or issuance of regulatory rules by the relevant agency (likely Judiciary or Public Safety) to establish storage standards, consent forms, and retrieval procedures.
  • Oversight and evaluation: Provisions for monitoring the program’s usage, effectiveness, and any need for adjustments, including reporting requirements to the Legislature.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Provides a constructive option to reduce impulsive firearm access during crises without criminalizing ownership or possession.
  • Balances individual autonomy with public safety by emphasizing voluntary participation and secure storage.
  • Requires careful design to protect privacy, ensure reliable recall processes, and prevent misuse or coercion.
  • Success depends on clear operational standards, accessible enrollment processes, and adequate funding for storage facilities and staff training.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing Vermont crisis-intervention or firearm-storage initiatives, or summarize any committee amendments once they’re available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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