Sherrill Reintroduces Legislation to Combat Gun Violence and Keep New Jersey Communities Safe

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Nikema Williams (GA-05) reintroduced the Secure Storage Information Act, legislation to help incentivize the use of secure storage devices that are proven to reduce accidental shootings and firearm deaths. This commonsense bill will lower the cost of purchasing secure storage devices and expand information sharing on the benefits of secure storage for gun owners. The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL, and Dan Goldman (NY-10).

The Secure Storage Information Act is the next pillar in Rep. Sherrill’s Improving Public Safety in New Jersey Communities Agenda, a legislative package she is introducing to reduce violence across the Garden State and make our state safer for all residents.

“We know that one of the most effective ways to prevent gun violence is through secure storage — keeping firearms locked, separate from ammunition, and out of the hands of untrained users. Last year, I sat down with law enforcement, veterans, parents, and local leaders who all shared stories of the importance of secure storage to keeping our communities safe,” said Rep. Sherrill. “In the Navy, I qualified as an expert shot. We didn’t just learn how to shoot, but also how to safely store our weapons. Now, I am fighting to protect our children from gun violence by ensuring that every New Jerseyan can safely store their firearm.”

“As a mama, my heart breaks hearing that yet another child in Atlanta was injured because of an unsecured firearm. No parent should have to experience this anguish, and no child should have to suffer because a gun wasn't safely stored. Eight children a day are shot, injured, or killed by unsecured firearms in the home — this is preventable. That's why I'm co-leading the Secure Storage Information Act to ensure gun owners have the resources to store their firearms responsibly. Safe storage saves lives, and it's a simple, necessary step to protect our children and our communities,” said Rep. Williams.

Sherrill’s common sense legislation has been endorsed by a large number of gun safety advocacy groups and veterans organizations, including Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, GIFFORDS, VoteVets, Moms Demand Action New Jersey Chapter, and NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholder Group.

“Secure gun storage is an essential component of responsible firearm ownership that saves countless lives. In fact, keeping guns locked and unloaded can reduce the chance of death from unintentional shootings and suicide by 73%. The Secure Storage Information Act will encourage firearm dealers to engage with firearm safety conversations with consumers and will incentivize gun owners to invest in secure firearm storage. Brady thanks Rep. Sherrill for reintroducing this vital legislation and for her continued dedication to preventing gun violence,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady: United Against Gun Violence.

“When guns aren’t properly stored, the door leading to tragedy is always open,” said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Securely storing your guns is the essence of responsible gun ownership, and we thank Congresswoman Sherrill for her leadership on this lifesaving legislation.”

“Unsecured firearms fuel tragedy—falling into young hands, being stolen and used in crimes, and turning moments of crisis into deadly outcomes. Securely storing firearms is a simple, powerful way to protect loved ones and save lives. Representative Sherrill’s bill takes a critical step toward making secure storage the norm. We applaud her leadership in championing this lifesaving legislation,” said Vanessa Gonzalez, Vice President of Government & Political Affairs at GIFFORDS.

“Veterans understand better than anyone that proper storage of firearms is essential. On military installations, strict guidelines are in place to secure weapons and prevent accidental discharges, and this same level of care is needed everywhere. Rep. Sherrill's proposal brings common-sense measures to the table by requiring secure storage options at points of sale and offering tax incentives to encourage their use. This initiative will save lives by ensuring that firearms are handled with the utmost responsibility. We applaud Rep. Sherrill's forward-thinking leadership and call on all Members to join us in supporting the Secure Storage Information Act,” said Mary Kaszynski, Director of Government Relations at VoteVets.

“NJSOSVETS strongly supports this legislation. 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 that households 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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