Sherrill Convenes Roundtable of Local Leaders to Discuss Secure Storage Legislation
WOODLAND PARK, NJ – Yesterday, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill sat down with local gun safety advocates, law enforcement, veterans, elected officials, and community members to discuss her Secure Storage Information Act – legislation that would keep firearms out of the hands of untrained users, including children and teens, help prevent accidental gun deaths, and reduce veteran suicide rates.
“As a mother of four, I refuse to sit back and let our children grow up with the constant threat of gun violence. That’s why I introduced the Secure Storage Information Act, which would help prevent unauthorized users from accessing firearms and reduce firearm deaths for children, teens, and veterans. Yesterday, I was glad to bring together gun safety advocates, elected officials, veterans, law enforcement, and mental health professionals to discuss the potential life-saving benefits of this legislation,” said Rep. Sherrill. “I am grateful to each of the panelists for sharing their perspectives on the importance of safe storage and their broader ideas on how we combat gun violence in New Jersey.”
“As a parent, teacher and elected official, gun safety and education are paramount to supporting the next generation. There is no part of the Second Amendment that overshadows the need for us collectively, as a society, to protect our kids. As the Deputy Director and elected commissioner in Passaic County, I am working hard to get this resolution passed at a County level to keep everyone, especially our children, safe,” saidSandi Lazzara, Deputy Director, Passaic County Board of County Commissioners.
“This legislation is an important step in ensuring public safety. This addresses education for new gun owners and makes securing these weapons a priority, which will help reduce the number of weapons that get in the hands of criminals,” said Andrew Caggiano, Chief of Police, Montville Township.
“The data is in, research shows that secure storage of firearms reduces suicide risk, keeping people alive and families together. Especially when teenagers are in the home. Congresswoman Sherill’s bill is common sense legislation that will have a real world impact for the people of New Jersey. Suicide is preventable and Congresswoman Sherrill recognizes that with the thoughtful provisions outlined in the proposed law. This effort is lifesaving,” said Robert Davison, CEO, Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris.
“Veteran suicide is a national tragedy that demands our immediate and ongoing attention. Over 60% of these tragic deaths involve firearms, but safe storage practices can create a critical time buffer during moments of crisis. NJ SOS Vets supports Congresswoman Sherrill’s proposed legislation that will prevent many unnecessary deaths and is a common sense approach to this very critical issue. Every life saved is a victory that honors the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” said A.J. Luna, Co-Founder and Program Manager, New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group.
“The Be SMART campaign is a public education program of the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. Guns are the leading cause of death for American children – 2,100 children every year. Guns are the second leading cause of death for New Jersey children – 36 children every year. Our volunteers work tirelessly in New Jersey and nationally to raise awareness of the critical importance of secure firearm storage to reduce these preventable tragedies,” said Lorraine Lombardi, Essex County Be SMART Co-Lead.
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,firearmsare the leading cause of death for children and teens. Studies have shown thathouseholds that securely store their firearmshave a significantly lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries for adults, children, and 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 Americansdied 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 recentVA reportnoted 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.
Astudy of 145 school shootingssince 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 arestolen every year. Analyses of gun theft consistently find that large numbers of stolen firearms are laterused 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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