Statement on Senate Introduction of SECURE Firearm Storage Act by Sen. Durbin
Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the below statement following the Senate introduction of the SECURE Firearm Storage Act by Democratic Whip Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), a companion to the House bill first introduced by Schneider in July 2017:
"While the political conversation on gun safety measures may already be fading, the senseless gun violence claiming lives in communities around the country is not. We must come together to find common ground and make progress reducing gun violence wherever possible. The SECURE Firearm Storage Act is a commonsense measure to prevent stolen guns – a significant number of which are later used to commit violent crimes. I commend Senator Durbin for carrying this fight on to the U.S. Senate and look forward to working with him to move this important legislation forward."
Background:
The Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective (SECURE) Firearm Storage Act, H.R. 3361, would require all firearms to be securely stored when a federally-licensed gun dealer is not open for business. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), more than 18,000 firearms were reported stolen or lost in 2016 from FFLs – a year over year increase of 20 percent.
In a July 2017 editorial, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote the SECURE Firearm Storage Act is "so obviously right it's hard to believe it is even necessary."