Bill > S926

This bill establishes a voluntary program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide free firearm lockboxes and related education to veterans as a suicide prevention strategy. The program allows eligible veterans to request a lockbox or voucher for a lockbox that meets specific safety standards, including being manufactured in the United States and designed to prevent unauthorized access. The VA will develop a public education campaign to inform veterans about the program, emphasizing that participation does not impact lawful firearm ownership and is completely voluntary. The VA must work with organizations experienced in firearm storage and submit annual reports to Congress detailing the program's implementation, including the number of lockboxes distributed and efforts to reach veterans enrolled and not enrolled in VA healthcare. The bill explicitly prohibits the VA from collecting personal information about participants, requiring firearm registration, or creating any list of program participants. The program is funded with $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2036, and includes the development of an informational video about firearm storage as a suicide prevention method. The goal is to provide veterans with tools to safely store firearms and potentially reduce veteran suicide rates.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/926/all-info