Sherrill Introduces Secure Storage Legislation to Prevent Gun Violence and Save Lives

Sherrill Legislation Endorsed by Leading Gun Violence Prevention Advocates

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, marked National Gun Violence Prevention Month by introducing the Secure Storage Information Act, legislation that will expand access to secure storage information and reduce the cost of purchasing secure storage devices for gun owners. The bill, introduced alongside Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05), will make it significantly easier for individuals to safely store their firearms at home – through expanded information, better access to storage devices, and lower costs – which in turn will help to reduce accidental shootings and firearm deaths.

“I grew up in a hunting family and qualified as an expert shot during my time in the Navy. I learned not only how to shoot, but how to safely store a firearm – locked, away from ammunition, and out of the reach of untrained users. Unfortunately, too many gun injuries and deaths – especially involving children – take place because guns are not stored safely,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill. “We know that secure storage is an effective way to reduce firearm deaths, which is why I am introducing legislation to make it easier and more affordable for firearm owners to securely store their weapons. I implore Speaker Johnson to allow the House to vote on this critically important step towards ending the gun violence epidemic in our country.”

“Unsecured firearms are especially dangerous for children—eight children a day are shot, injured, or killed by an unsecured firearm in the home. As a mama, this pains me, and it does not have to be this way,” said Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05). “We must ensure guns are stored safely as a baseline step to reduce gun violence in this country. The Secure Storage Information Act will make it easier for gun owners to responsibly store their firearms and, in doing so, increase community safety for all.”

Sherrill’s common sense legislation has earned endorsements from many of the nation’s leading gun safety advocacy groups, including Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, GIFFORDS, VoteVets, Moms Demand Action New Jersey Chapter, and NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholder Group. Read more about why they support her efforts:

“Safe gun storage saves lives, and by empowering gun owners with the knowledge to safely store firearms, we can prevent unintentional shootings and suicides. The Secure Storage Information Act will incentivize consumers to securely store their firearms and gun dealers to be a part of the solution, so that both parties can work together to prevent future tragedies. Brady thanks Representative Sherrill for introducing this crucial legislation and for helping bring America one step closer to a future free from gun violence,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence

“All too often, tragedy strikes when guns aren’t properly stored — and these incidents are entirely preventable. The Secure Storage Information Act is the very definition of a common-sense gun safety law, and we thank Congresswoman Sherrill for working to encourage responsible gun ownership,” said John Feinblatt, President, Everytown for Gun Safety.

"Gun violence is the leading cause of death for American kids, and too often, children accidentally access guns and harm themselves or a loved one. Owning a firearm is a right that comes with responsibility, and we know that when guns are accessible to unsupervised children, the risk of youth suicide, accidental shootings, and even school shootings increases. Representative Sherrill's bill, which would expand access to and awareness of safe storage options, represents a crucial step forward in safeguarding our children and our communities as a whole. We thank Representative Sherill for her leadership on this important issue,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director, GIFFORDS.

“Veterans, more than most, know the importance of secure storage of their weapon and ammunition. The procedures on base to keep weapons secure, and to minimize accidental discharge, are thorough. Rep. Sherrill’s bill just makes sense when it comes to securing weapons, especially from those who would do harm to themselves or others. Ensuring that secure storage is available where weapons are sold, and encouraging the purchase of secure storage by offering a tax credit, will save lives. Veterans know that weapons that can kill must be treated with the utmost protection, security and care. This bill helps ensure that is the case. We applaud Representative Sherrill for her leadership and urge every Member to join us in supporting this critical effort,” saidMary Kaszynski, Director of Government Relations, VoteVets.

“The secure storage of firearms is one of the most important tools we have to keep our communities safe and embraced by responsible gun owners. With the Secure Storage Information Act, we are one step closer to ensuring that all firearm owners have the information and tools to keep their firearms secure,” said Jeanne Stifelman, New Jersey Chapter Lead of Moms Demand Action. “We’ve seen the lifesaving power of secure storage to keep deadly firearms out of the hands of unauthorized users in states like New Jersey, but we know that we need federal legislation to ensure all Americans can be protected by this lifesaving policy. We’re grateful to Congresswoman Sherrill for introducing this bill and we urge all of our lawmakers to support this critical measure.”

“Gun safes and locks are common sense measures that can help prevent senseless tragedies and save lives. This initiative makes gun safes available to gun owners and creates safer homes for our families and communities,” said David Pearson, Co-Founder of NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholder Group.

Sherrill’s Secure Storage Information Act would require Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to provide secure storage information to prospective firearm purchasers, require FFLs to have available a variety of secure storage devices – including gun safes, trigger locks, and lock boxes – where firearms are sold, and provide a tax credit for the purchase of a qualified gun safe.

In the United States, firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Studies have shown thathouseholds that securely store their firearms have a significantly lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries for both adults and children/teens.

From 2015 to 2021, almost 3,500 Americans died from unintentional firearms injuries, including over 700 children. In the same time period, over 326,000 Americans died from suicide, over half of whom used a firearm. Many of these tragedies resulted from firearms being left unsecured in the home and accessible to family members who were not authorized to use the weapon.

A recent VA report noted that secure firearm storage is a key method in reducing veteran suicide. According to the report, 1 in 3 veteran firearm owners store at least 1 firearm unlocked and loaded. Secure storage builds in time and space between a suicidal impulse and taking action, which may offer enough time for the crisis to pass. 

A study of 145 school shootings since 1999 also found that 80% of the weapons used in those attacks were taken by the student from their home or the home of a relative or friend. Furthermore, an estimated 380,000 firearms are stolen every year. Analyses of gun theft consistently find that large numbers of stolen firearms are later used in other violent crimes, meaning that better theft prevention can be a critical tool to help improve public safety.

The Secure Storage Information Act would remove key impediments to safe storage by ensuring that firearm owners have the information and tools they need to keep their guns away from untrained and potentially dangerous users.

Rep. Sherrill is a former Navy helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor. She qualified as an expert shot in the rifle and pistol in the U.S. Navy. As a federal prosecutor, she worked to keep illegal guns off the streets of New Jersey. Rep. Sherrill is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, which requires a background check for every gun purchase including online purchases and those made at gun shows, was the first bill that Rep. Sherrill cosponsored during her first term in Congress.

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