To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of, and report to the Congress on, secure gun storage or safety devices.

Bill: 114-hr-4145
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]
Introduced: 2015-12-01
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Accidents

Congressional oversight

Firearms and explosives

Government studies and investigations

Product safety and quality

Technology assessment
Latest action: action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-12-01
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study that examines: (1) the effectiveness of secure gun storage or safety devices, and (2) enforcement of a federal criminal code provision that prohibits a licensed gun dealer from selling or transferring a handgun without also providing a secure gun storage or safety device for the handgun. </p> <p>The GAO must report results and recommendations to Congress within one year of enactment. </p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4145 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 1, 2015 Mr. Engel introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of, and report to the Congress on, secure gun storage or safety devices.

1. GAO study of secure gun storage or safety devices (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States (in this section referred to as the Comptroller General ) shall conduct a comprehensive study of the effectiveness of secure gun storage or safety devices, and the enforcement of section 922(z) of title 18, United States Code. (b) Matters To be studied In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall examine the following: (1) The effectiveness of widely available secure gun storage or safety devices in preventing accidental and intentional firearm-related injuries and fatalities. (2) The effects of the use of widely available secure gun storage or safety devices on the utility of firearms with which they may be used. (3) The effectiveness of smart gun technologies and similar tools that verify the identity of a firearm user before allowing the weapon to fire and the effects of the tools on the rate of accidental and intentional firearm-related injuries and fatalities. (4) The expected effects of the universal adoption of effective secure gun storage or safety devices and smart gun technology by firearm owners in the United States on the rate of accidental and intentional firearm-related injuries and fatalities. (5) The enforcement efforts of all Federal agencies concerning potential violations of section 922(z) of title 18, United States Code. (6) An estimate of the prevalence in the United States of violations of that section. (7) The expected effects of effective enforcement of that section on the rate of accidental and intentional firearm-related injuries and fatalities. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Firearm The term firearm has the meaning given the term in section 921(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code. (2) Secure gun storage or safety device The term secure gun storage or safety device has the meaning given the term in section 921(a)(34) of such title. (d) Consultation In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with law enforcement agencies, firearm safety advocates, firearm rights advocates, and the manufacturers of smart guns and secure gun storage or safety devices. (e) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a report that contains— (1) the results of the study required by subsection (a); and (2) any recommendations based on the study.