Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act

Summary of Bill: H.R. 8619 — Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act

Session: 119th Congress | Jurisdiction: United States | Introduced: Apr 30, 2026

This summary explains the bill’s purpose, key provisions, who is affected, and notable timelines or procedural aspects. It is intended to be clear for both experts and general readers.

Purpose and Intent

• Establishes federal requirements and programs to promote safe firearm storage.
• Aims to reduce firearm accidents, theft, and unauthorized access by requiring safe storage notices, providing best-practice guidance, and creating a grant program to fund safe storage devices.
• Creates a new tax credit to incentivize the retail sale of safe firearm storage devices.
• Designates a programmatic framework for states and tribes to distribute storage devices to the public.

Key Provisions

1) Best Practices for Safe Storage (Section 2)

• The Attorney General must establish voluntary best practices for safe firearm storage within 180 days of enactment, solely for public education.
• Public notice (at least 90 days) and an opportunity for a hearing are required before establishing the practices.
• Best practices must address storage to prevent loss, theft, and unauthorized access in:
  • Businesses
  • Vehicles
  • Private homes
  • Off-site storage facilities
  • Other locations as deemed appropriate
• Publish the best practices within 1 year and review/update them annually (on public website and in print).

2) Notice Requirement for Sold Firearms (Section 3)

• Beginning Jan 1, 2029, licensed manufacturers and licensed importers that serialize at least 250 firearms per year must include a clear, conspicuous notice with each firearm (and its packaging) stating:
  • “SAFE STORAGE SAVES LIVES”
  • The address of the public website established by the Attorney General under this Act.

3) Safe Storage Devices Availability (Section 4)

• The existing federal prohibition on safe storage devices for firearms is expanded to include rifles and shotguns (previously limited to handguns) in federal storage device requirements.
• Provisions to take effect 180 days after enactment.

4) Safe Firearm Storage Grant Program (Section 5)

• The Attorney General may award grants to States and Indian Tribes to develop, implement, and evaluate Safe Firearm Storage Assistance Programs.
• Definitions:
  • A “Safe Firearm Storage Device” is a device designed to deny unauthorized access or render the firearm inoperable and secured by a combination lock, key, or biometric lock.
  • The program is administered by local governments or tribes to acquire and distribute devices.
• Grant requirements:
  • Applications submitted to the Attorney General with information as required.
  • Applicants should identify additional funding sources where practicable.
• Reporting:
  • Grantees must provide annual reports with amounts distributed, devices distributed, and non-personalized data.
  • The Attorney General must report to Congress annually beginning 13 months after grants are awarded.
• Appropriations: $10 million per fiscal year from 2027 to 2037 (available until expended).
• Use of funds: At least 75% to create/distribute Safe Firearm Storage Assistance Programs in the jurisdiction; up to 25% for partnerships with nonprofits to distribute devices.

5) Safe Firearm Storage Credit (Section 6)

• Introduces a new nonrefundable tax credit: Safe Firearm Storage Credit (Sec. 45BB).
• Credit amount: 10% of the first retail sale price of a safe firearm storage device used in the United States, up to a $400 maximum per device.
• Definitions:
  • A “safe firearm storage device” matches the definition used in the grant section, with biometric, key, or combination-lock mechanisms.
  • Excludes devices integrated into firearm design or those subject to a mandatory recall.
• Effective: Taxable years beginning after enactment.
• The credit becomes part of the general business credit and is reported on the tax return.
• Treasury reporting: An annual, publicly available report disaggregated by state showing total credits claimed.

6) Severability (Section 7)

• If any provision is held invalid, the remainder remains in effect.

Who is Affected

• Firearm manufacturers and importers: new labeling/notice requirement for serialized firearms starting 2029.
• Licensed dealers: indirect impact via potential future compliance considerations and the retail device credit.
• General public: access to safer storage devices through state/tribal programs; potential tax credit for device purchases.
• States, tribes, and local governments: eligible for grants to run Safe Firearm Storage Assistance Programs.
• Taxpayers purchasing safe storage devices: eligible for a 10% credit (up to $400 per device) for device purchases.

Timeline and Procedural Highlights

• 180 days after enactment: AG to establish voluntary best practices (for public education).
• 90 days public notice and hearing opportunity: prior to finalizing best practices.
• 1 year after enactment: Publish best practices publicly.
• Jan 1, 2029: Notice requirement on serialized firearms began.
• 180 days after enactment: Expansion of 922(z) to include rifles and shotguns in safe storage device requirements.
• 2027–2037: Safe Storage Grant Program funding authorized at $10 million per year.
• 13 months after first grant: AG to report to Congress on grant activity, annually thereafter.
• Tax credit: Applies to taxable years beginning after enactment; annual Treasury reporting on credits issued.

Overall Impact

The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act aims to:
- Promote safe storage practices across various settings.
- Increase public awareness through notices and best-practice guidance.
- Fund and expand the distribution of safe storage devices to the public via grants.
- Provide a tax incentive to encourage the sale and purchase of safe storage devices.
- Create greater accountability and reporting on program outcomes while preserving severability in case parts are challenged.