Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8608
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T15:23:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill, titled the Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act, aims to enhance the safety and security of firearms (called "service weapons") used by federal law enforcement officers when the weapons are not being actively used. It seeks to prevent theft, loss, or misuse by setting storage rules and reporting requirements.
Key Provisions
- Safe Storage Requirements: Heads of federal civilian and military law enforcement agencies must create rules for securely locking and storing service firearms when not in an officer's personal possession. Agencies must provide necessary equipment (like safes or locks) if funding is available.
- Minimum Storage Standards:
- Officers must use tools like smart guns/locks, trigger locks, safes, or gun lock boxes (approved by the agency).
- Firearms cannot be stored in patrol or personal vehicles, except temporarily at court or if no other option exists and agency-approved.
- Violations are grounds for discipline, with agencies considering minimum punishment levels.
- Reporting Losses/Thefts: Agencies must report any lost or stolen service firearms to state/local law enforcement, ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), and FBI to track incidents centrally.
- Training and Education: Agencies must train anyone assisting in law enforcement who carries a firearm on safe storage. They must also give written materials to officers and assistants about risks of keeping accessible firearms at home (e.g., statistics on accidents or thefts).
- Funding: Authorizes Congress to appropriate money for implementation, including equipment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new section (18 U.S.C. § 3065) to Chapter 203 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code (which covers arrests and related federal law enforcement powers).
- Introduces mandatory nationwide standards for firearm storage, reporting, training, and education—previously left to individual agency discretion.
- Requires equipment provision and central theft reporting to ATF/FBI, creating a new data-sharing system.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal law enforcement (e.g., FBI, DEA, military police) must update policies, buy equipment, train staff, report incidents, and enforce discipline—increasing administrative workload and costs (offset by authorized funding).
- Citizens/Public: Could reduce risks from stolen federal firearms entering criminal hands, potentially lowering gun violence or crime rates involving agency weapons.
- No direct international effects, but improves domestic law enforcement accountability.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Law Enforcement Agencies (civilian like FBI, ATF; military): Must implement and enforce rules.
- Federal Officers and Assistants: Required to follow storage rules; face discipline for violations; receive training and info.
- ATF and FBI: Receive theft reports for national tracking.
- State/Local Law Enforcement: Notified of thefts for recovery efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Creates enforceable discipline standards and reporting mandates; violations could lead to internal agency penalties but no new federal crimes specified.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts (e.g., does not infringe Second Amendment rights, as it targets agency-issued service weapons during non-use; focuses on government property safety).
- Political: May spark debate on gun safety vs. officer practicality (e.g., vehicle storage limits); promotes data-driven policy via theft tracking; requires congressional funding approval.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (4 pages)