Olszewski Introduces Bill to Keep Stolen Guns Off Streets

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Johnny Olszewski today introduced common sense public safety legislation aimed at keeping stolen guns off our streets by requiring federally-licensed gun dealers (FFL) to better secure their inventory during off-hours. The SECURE Firearm Storage Act is nearly identical to bipartisan legislation passed at the county and state levels under Congressman Olszewski’s leadership.

 

Congressman Olszewski introduced the bicameral Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective (SECURE) Firearm Storage Act along with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10). The bill addresses the problem of “smash and grab” gun store burglaries by requiring all firearms to be securely stored when an FFL gun dealer is closed.

 

The bill would authorize the U.S. Attorney General to require detailed security plans on FFL applications before they are approved.

 

"We must do whatever we can to keep our communities safe, and that includes doing more to keep stolen firearms off our streets," Congressman Johnny Olszewski said. “As Baltimore County Executive, I led the successful passage of nearly-identical bipartisan legislation at the local level that was replicated in Maryland. I am proud to again champion this common sense solution at the national level with the full backing of both law enforcement and gun safety advocates.”

 

 As Baltimore County Executive, Congressman Olszewski championed the similar Secure All Firearms Effectively, or SAFE Act, following a spree of burglaries at local gun shops, including one in which 51 firearms were stolen. The bill was passed by the Baltimore County Council in January 2021 and, the next year, a statewide SAFE Act was introduced by House Speaker Adrienne Jones and passed the Maryland General Assembly.

 

Gun thefts from FFLs are a significant problem nation-wide. More than 13,300 guns were lost through burglary, larceny, robbery or simply missing from FFL’s inventory in 2023, according to the ATF. Many stolen guns end up used in subsequent crimes.

The SECURE Act has been endorsed by both law enforcement and gun safety advocates, including Brady United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, and GIFFORDS. Locally, the bill is supported by groups like the Baltimore-based rape crisis center TurnAround as well as TraumaNET, a group that includes representatives from each of Maryland’s trauma centers including the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

 

“As professionals dedicated to trauma care and prevention, we witness firsthand the devastating impact of gun violence on individuals and communities,” said Doctor Kyle Remick, TraumaNET Chairman. “The SECURE Firearm Storage Act proposes common-sense measures to mitigate issues related to gun thefts. These measures are not only reasonable but necessary to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands through theft.”