Proposed Pilot Program for Temporary Firearm Storage for Veterans

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

The bill establishes a legal framework for temporary firearm storage for veterans, providing licensed dealers with immunity from certain lawsuits while protecting the rights of veterans to voluntarily secure their firearms outside their homes.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Veterans

Veterans with specific mental health conditions gain the option to store firearms temporarily with licensed dealers.

Licensed firearms dealers

Dealers may enter into agreements with the VA to store firearms and receive immunity from certain federal lawsuits.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The agency is mandated to implement the pilot program, manage agreements, and report findings to Congress.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill would create a three-year allowing veterans experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts to store their firearms temporarily with licensed dealers. The Department of Veterans Affairs would manage the program in up to five states to help veterans manage access to firearms during mental health crises.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate in this program?

Veterans who suffer from depression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder or suicidal thoughts and choose to participate.

Can a firearms dealer be sued if something goes wrong?

No, the bill provides that no shall lie in any Federal court against a licensed dealer for lawful acts or omissions under the program that result in personal injury or death.

How long will this program last?

The will run for three years from the date the Secretary of Veterans Affairs implements it.

Why It Matters

The bill establishes a legal framework for temporary firearm storage for veterans, providing licensed dealers with immunity from certain lawsuits while protecting the rights of veterans to voluntarily secure their firearms outside their homes.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Liability Shield for Dealers

The bill explicitly creates a federal liability shield for private businesses (licensed dealers) participating in a government-sponsored mental health initiative.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Connected Entities

organizationCommittee on Veterans' Affairs“The congressional committee overseeing the bill”Map →

personHiggins of Louisiana“The Representative who introduced the bill”Map →

organizationHouse of Representatives“Legislative body involved in the bill's enactment”Map →

organizationSecretary of Veterans Affairs“The executive branch official responsible for implementing the program”Map →

organizationUnited States Government Publishing Office“Source of the document”Map →

bill_numberH.R. 10487“The bill's official number”Map →

date180 days“Timeframe for implementation”Map →

organizationSenate“Legislative body involved in the bill's enactment”Map →

organizationDepartment of Veterans Affairs“The agency administering the pilot program”Map →

date3 years“Duration of the pilot program”Map →

dateDecember 18, 2024“Date the bill was introduced”Map →

organizationlicensed firearms dealer“The partner organization for the pilot program”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz25
Current news / social attention level