SECURE Firearm Storage Act Introduced

Senator Dick Durbin recently introduced the SECURE Act. The legislation, also known as Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective Firearm Storage Act is a measure that “would address the problem of ‘smash and grab’ gun store burglaries”. More from the press release:

…by requiring all firearms to be securely stored when a federally-licensed gun dealer is not open for business. Additionally, the bill would authorize the Attorney General to review and put forth additional security measures to reduce the risk of theft, and requires a new section on the FFL Application for an applicant to describe security plans before a license can be approved.

Gun thefts from FFLs are a significant problem across the country. In 2020, FFLs reported 492 burglaries to the ATF, and a total of 5,961 firearms were reported stolen during the burglaries. Many stolen guns are later used to commit violent crimes. The Chicago Tribune recently reported on a gun stolen from a Wisconsin gun store in 2016 – that gun has since been linked to 27 shootings in Chicago.