On January 3, 2022, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced a new rule in its continued effort to strengthen gun safety standards.
The rule, which takes effect on Feb. 3, requires federal firearm licensees (FFL) that sell firearms to the general public to certify that they have available secure gun storage or safety devices. Safe gun storage options are defined as “a safe, gun safe, gun case, lock box or other device that is designed to be or can be used to store a firearm and that is designed to be unlocked only by means of a key, a combination or other similar means.” Storage options provided by FFLs must be compatible with the gun sold.
The ABA has a longstanding policy promoting gun violence prevention strategies that respect the Second Amendment. One such policy, adopted in February 2020, urges the federal government to enact rules and regulations defining the standards for safe storage, requiring firearm owners meet those standards, and educating firearm owners on safe storage. This policy is grounded in efforts to prevent unauthorized users, including children, from accessing firearms and to prevent accidental injury or suicide.
On Jan. 3, DOJ also published a Best Practices Guide to help FFLs comply with all required firearms laws and regulations designed to ensure public safety and the traceability of firearms.
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