Golden, Davis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Promote Responsible Gun Ownership, Distribute Kits and Educational Materials Across the Country

Press Release

Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) today introduced bipartisan legislation that could provide millions of gun safety kits to Americans across the country and educate millions more on the importance of gun storage and safety.

"This program would help make sure that gun owners are not prevented from taking steps to safely secure their firearms because of an issue of affordability or lack of knowledge and information about safe storage options," said Congressman Golden. "These habits can help save lives. The bipartisan bill Rep. Davis and I are introducing today builds on the great work local organizations and law enforcement agencies are doing to educate Americans on gun safety. I'm proud to have the support of law enforcement leaders and sportsmen's groups in Maine and across the country on this legislation."

"As a gun owner and supporter of the Second Amendment, it's incumbent on us to promote safe, responsible firearm ownership," said Congressman Davis."That's why I'm proud to re-introduce the Responsible Ownership of Firearms Act with Rep. Golden. Our bipartisan legislation funds programs that already have a proven track record that work to keep families safe. Increased access to firearm safety education kits and expanded use of firearm safety locks will lower the incidence of accidental firearm deaths and misuse of firearms. This legislation promotes gun safety and has the support of firearm advocates like the National Shooting Sports Foundation. I'd like to thank Rep. Golden for leading on this issue, and I look forward to working with him to get it passed."

The bipartisan bill, the Responsible Ownership of Firearms Act, would provide $50 million in grants to organizations partnering with local, state, or tribal law enforcement agencies to distribute gun safety kits, including firearm locking devices, and educational materials promoting safe and responsible gun ownership, safe firearm storage and firearm safety.

Golden's bill has strong support from law enforcement and sportsmen's groups in Maine and at the national level, including the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, the Maine State Troopers Association, the Maine Association of Police, the Maine State Law Enforcement Association, and the Maine Fraternal Order of Police.

"The Responsible Ownership of Firearms Act introduced by Congressmen Golden and Davis will help groups like the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine build on our work to promote responsible gun ownership and educate Mainers about gun safety. The bill takes a smart, collaborative approach, partnering law enforcement with local organizations to get gun safety kits and educational materials into the hands of Maine gun owners. We're proud to support Congressman Golden's legislation to improve gun safety while protecting the Second Amendment and we're glad to see members of Congress working across the aisle to get things done on issues important to sportsmen across the country." -- David Trahan, Executive Director, Sportsman's Alliance of Maine

"I am extremely pleased to endorse The Responsible Ownership of Firearms Act of 2021 and applaud Congressman Jared Golden for once again being on the front line of an important public safety initiative. As a retired chief of the Maine State Police with 43 years in the law enforcement arena, I can say with certainty this initiative, if passed into law, will save lives. It is a common sense, practical, and meaningful opportunity to provide the resources to enhance the safe responsible storage of firearms. It represents the common sense and values for which Maine is known." - Colonel Craig A. Poulin, Maine State Police (ret.)

"It is a proven fact that lives are saved through responsible, voluntary safe firearm storage. To that end, NSSF appreciates Reps. Golden and Davis for their leadership and efforts on the Responsible Ownership of Firearms Act of 2021, to make safe firearm storage a priority for all communities." -- Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs, National Shooting Sports Foundation

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