Bill > S3973

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Firearms Storage Grant program within the Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS). Under the bill, a licensed firearms retail dealer is permitted to enter into a firearm hold agreement with a firearm owner to temporarily store the owner's legally obtained firearms on the retail dealer's premises, especially owners who are concerned with suicide prevention. The bill does not require an owner who enters into such an agreement to obtain an additional firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit. The bill provides that the retail dealer who takes possession of a firearm pursuant to a firearm hold agreement is not liable for loss or damage resulting from a good faith attempt to implement or the implementation of the agreement, unless such loss or damage was caused by willful or wanton misconduct. Under the bill, a retail dealer may apply to the DLPS for a grant of up to $5,000 for eligible costs related to acquiring storage units as defined in the bill to be a vault, safe, locker or other instrumentality of storage designed for multiple firearms. The bill appropriates $300,000 to the DLPS for the issuance of grants under the bill. Each year, the Attorney General is to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature on the implementation and effectiveness of the Firearms Storage Grant Program. The reports are to include the number and dollar amount of grants awarded, a recommendation on whether to continue the program, and the amount of funds that remain unexpended and available to award additional grants. It is the sponsor's intent that the $300,000 appropriation should be carried forward until depleted.

Committee Categories

Joe Cryan (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 12/16/2024)

Official Document