H.R. 7591: Secure Firearm Storage and Suicide Prevention Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Secure Firearm Storage and Suicide Prevention Act of 2026, aims to enhance firearm safety and education about suicide prevention among students and the community. Its primary objectives are to reduce the risk of unintentional injuries and suicides related to firearms, especially among youth.

Key Components

• Research and Findings: The bill emphasizes the significance of firearm-related suicides and unintentional injuries as major causes of death among young people. It references statistics showing an increase in firearm suicides and highlights the need for proper firearm storage practices.
• Development of Best Practices: Within one year after the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Education is required to create best practices for secure firearm storage and prevention of firearm-related injuries and suicides. This will involve consultations with various relevant agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other stakeholders.
• Information to Include: The best practices will cover various topics, including:
  • How to securely store firearms.
  • Evaluating firearm safety protocols.
  • The risks of unsecured firearms.
  • Strategies for preventing accidents or suicides related to firearms.
  • Education for students about what to do when encountering an unsecured firearm.
• Distribution of Guidance: Local educational agencies (schools) will receive the developed best practices and will subsequently create their own guidance for their communities within one year of receiving the federal best practices. This guidance will be tailored to local contexts and stakeholders.
• Annual Updates: The federal guidance will be updated every three years based on feedback from educators, students, and experts, ensuring the information remains current and relevant.

Neutrality Requirement

In crafting the best practices and guidance, the bill mandates that no material encouraging or discouraging firearm ownership be included, aiming to maintain a neutral stance on the issue of firearm possession.

Communication and Outreach

• Each educational agency is obligated to distribute the developed guidance to students, parents, school staff, and community members at specified times each academic year, ensuring that the information reaches a broad audience.
• This outreach would involve both electronic communications and physical handouts to ensure accessibility to all stakeholders.

Definitions

The bill also provides definitions for terms used throughout the text, ensuring clarity regarding what constitutes a "covered local educational agency" and a "secure storage device."

Relevant Companies

None found