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HR 8608

Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mark DeSaulnier

The bill requires federal agencies to implement safe storage and locking standards for service firearms when not in use, including equipment, training, reporting, and funding.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8608

Summary: Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act (H.R. 8608, 118th–119th Congress)

Note: This summary reflects the text and structure as introduced. It focuses on the bill’s stated purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural timeline.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to improve safety and security for service weapons used by federal law enforcement officers.
  • It adds a new, standalone provision establishing requirements for safe storage and locking of service firearms when not in use, across federal civilian and military law enforcement agencies.
  • It also authorizes appropriations to implement these safety measures and related training and materials.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • New statutory section added: 18 U.S.C. § 3065 (Safety and security of service weapons used by Federal law enforcement officers).

The main requirements under § 3065 include:
- (a) Agency obligations: The head of each federal civilian or military law enforcement agency must prescribe safe storage and locking requirements for service firearms when not in use. The agency must provide appropriate equipment to officers and any individuals who assist the agency in its law enforcement functions, subject to availability of appropriations.
- (b) Minimum storage standards: The agency must adopt minimum standards, including:
- Officers must use approved methods (smart guns, smart locks, trigger locks, safes, gunlock boxes, or other agency-approved means) for safe storage when not in personal possession.
- Service firearms should not be stored in patrol or personally owned vehicles, except for temporary storage at court or when no other safekeeping option exists, or if authorized by the agency.
- Violations of storage requirements may be grounds for disciplinary action, with consideration of minimum punishment standards.
- (c) Reporting of loss/theft: Agencies must report any loss or theft of a service firearm to relevant state/local law enforcement agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and the FBI to facilitate central information on such incidents.
- (d) Training: Agencies must ensure that any person who assists in law enforcement functions and carries a firearm is trained in safe storage practices.
- (e) Written materials: Agencies must provide written materials to officers and assisting personnel about the statistical risks of keeping a firearm at home, emphasizing risks associated with easy home access.
- (f) Funding: Authorization of appropriations “such sums as may be necessary” to carry out § 3065, including equipment provision under (a).

  • Amendment to the U.S. Code: Adds a new item to the table of sections for Chapter 203 of Title 18, establishing the new § 3065.

3) Who Is Affected

  • Federal law enforcement officers (both civilian and military) who carry service firearms.
  • Individuals who assist federal law enforcement agencies in their functions and who carry firearms as service weapons (e.g., weapon-carrying contractors or auxiliary personnel, as defined by agency policy).
  • Federal law enforcement agencies (the heads of agencies would implement and enforce the new storage standards).
  • State and local law enforcement and the public, indirectly, through reporting requirements and safety improvements.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Short Title: The act may be cited as the “Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act.”
  • Introduction Date: April 30, 2026.
  • Referral: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and, in addition, to the Committee on Armed Services for provisions within their jurisdiction.
  • Funding: The bill contemplates contingent appropriations to implement the storage requirements (no specific dollar amounts provided; appropriations “as may be necessary”).
  • Implementation Timeline: The bill requires agencies to prescribe requirements and provide equipment as appropriations allow; no fixed effective date is specified in the text provided, implying that implementation would occur after enactment and subsequent agency rulemaking and procurement processes.

5) Practical Implications

  • Standardization of safe storage practices across federal agencies, with emphasis on modern security solutions (smart locks/guns).
  • Potential administrative discipline for noncompliance with storage rules.
  • Enhanced safety in the handling and transport of service firearms when not in use.
  • Improved incident reporting on lost/stolen firearms, aiding national data collection and potential policy responses.
  • Emphasis on risk communication to officers about home storage risks, which could influence training and personal safety practices.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page briefing with quick-read bullets for policymakers or a comparison with existing federal storage guidance.

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

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