Congresswomen Jackie Speier (CA-14) and Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) introduced a bill to help innovators bring potentially life-saving gun safety technology to market. The Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act would support private-sector commercialization of gun-safety technology by authorizing a $10 million pilot program.
Entities with initial product designs and demonstrable commitment to reducing unintentional or unauthorized shootings would be eligible to apply for a grant, says a press release. Reps. Speier and Lofgren were joined by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, John Garamendi, Alcee Hastings, Stephen Lynch and Eleanor Holmes Norton in introducing the legislation.
“Too many of the nearly 40,000 gun deaths in America each year are accidents, suicides, and homicides that could be prevented if gun safety technology was more ubiquitous,” Rep. Speier said. “Innovators are working hard to produce life-saving gun safety technology, yet the high cost of commercialization and opposition from gun manufacturers who value profit margins over human life stops these products from ever getting off the ground. The Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act would finally give innovators the financial boost they need to market technology that can save American lives.”
“In July, my constituents in the city of Gilroy, California became part of a very sobering group of communities that have endured a mass shooting this year. It hurt my heart, it made me angry and it further strengthened my resolve to pursue commonsense gun safety measures that can help save lives,” Rep. Lofgren said. “In the United States, the seemingly unending string of gun deaths are a public health crisis and our Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act will encourage innovators to bring products to the market that help keep our communities safe.”
"Innovators have been working to develop gun safety technology and help reduce unauthorized access to guns, but more money is needed to bring these life-saving products to market. We know that personalized guns and personalized accessories such as gun safes, trigger locks, and retrofit kits can help keep firearms secure to reduce gun suicides, unintentional shootings, and gun thefts. The public—gun owners and non-gun owners alike—will benefit when firearms are produced, stored, and used safely. We appreciate Rep. Speier's leadership in spearheading this grant program for the development of gun safety technology and urge Congress to quickly pass this bill," said Hannah Shearer, Giffords Law Center Litigation .
