H.R. 10487 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10487 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 18, 2024Mr. Higgins of Louisiana introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide temporary firearm storage to veterans who seek to store their firearms outside of their residence due to certain mental health conditions, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Armory Project Expansion Act of 2024. 2. Pilot program of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding storage of firearms of certain veterans (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement a pilot program under which the Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with a licensed firearms dealer who, pursuant to such agreement, shall temporarily store, on premises under the control of such licensed firearm dealer, the firearm of a veteran who— (1) suffers from— (A) depression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder; or (B) suicidal thoughts; and (2) elects to participate in the pilot program. (b) Use of existing findings To implement the pilot program, the Secretary shall use the findings from similar research or pilot programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the pilot program known as the Armory Project. (c) Limitation on liability No cause of action shall lie in any Federal court against a licensed firearms dealer for any lawful act or omission under the pilot program that results in personal injury to, or the death of, any person. (d) Locations The Secretary shall implement the pilot program in not more than five States. (e) Termination The pilot program shall terminate three years after the day the Secretary implements the pilot program. (f) Report Not later than 180 days after the termination of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the pilot program, including any recommendations of the Secretary based on the results of the pilot program. (g) Licensed firearms dealer defined In this section, the term licensed firearms dealer has the meaning given the term licensed dealer in section 921 of title 18, United States Code.