Summary of H.R. 2380 - Handgun Trigger Safety Act of 2017

Purpose: This proposed law focuses on developing and using technology to make "personalized handguns." These handguns would only fire when used by an authorized person. The bill requires that all handguns made, sold, or imported in the U.S. include this safety technology, aiming to reduce accidental shootings, gun theft, and misuse.

Key Points

• Personalized Handguns: Guns that only allow authorized users — like the owner or people the owner allows — to fire them. The safety technology is built into the gun and cannot be easily removed or disabled.
• Why This is Important:
  • About 544 Americans die each year from accidental gun shootings.
  • Children accidentally shoot themselves or others roughly every 34 hours in the U.S.
  • Nearly 350,000 guns are stolen yearly from private citizens.
  • Many crimes and murders involve handguns that could be safer with this technology.
• Grants for Development: The government will provide funding to qualified groups, such as universities or nonprofits, to develop these personalized handgun technologies.
• Deadlines for Compliance:
  • Starting 5 years after the bill becomes law, gun makers in the U.S. must only manufacture personalized handguns.
  • Starting 10 years after enactment, only personalized or retrofitted personalized handguns can be sold or distributed in the U.S.
• Retrofit Program: Gun owners with older handguns can request manufacturers to retrofit their guns with personalized technology at no cost.
• Exceptions: Antique firearms and guns made or sold for the military are exempt.
• Enforcement: The Consumer Product Safety Commission will enforce these rules, including penalties for violations. States can also take legal action to enforce the law.
• Legal Protections Changed: The bill modifies a previous law (Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act) to ensure that lawsuits related to these personalized handguns can proceed against manufacturers if necessary.

In Layman's Terms

This bill wants to make guns safer by making sure only the person who owns the gun — or someone they say can use it — can actually fire it. It encourages creating this safety tech and eventually requires all new guns sold in the U.S. to have it.

This means if a child, a thief, or someone who shouldn't use your gun gets ahold of it, they won’t be able to fire it accidentally or intentionally. Older guns can be upgraded for free to have this safety feature. The goal is to prevent accidents, crimes, and gun thefts involving handguns.

Overall Goal

To reduce handgun violence and accidental shootings by promoting gun safety technology that personalizes handguns to authorized users only.