WSHINGTON D.C.—The Biden-Harris Administration announced executive actions to promote safe storage of firearms as part of President Joe Biden’s proposal in March 2023 to reduce gun violence.

Biden has directed the Department of Education and the Department of Justice to carry out the following executive actions to help further promote safe storage and protect children:

• The U.S. Department of Education will take new action on safe firearm storage by sending a letter to school principals across the country explaining the importance of safe storage and encouraging them to communicate with parents, families, caregivers, and the broader community about how safe storage can protect students in school and in their communities.
• The U.S. Department of Education will also issue a new communications template that principals and school leaders can use to engage with parents and families about the importance of safe firearm storage, and encourage more people to take preventive action by safely storing firearms.
• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will release a guide to safe storage of firearms in order to provide subject matter expertise on different types of storage devices and best practices for safely storing firearms. This is the most comprehensive guide on safe storage ever released by the federal government.

“Local leaders, like school officials, community and faith leaders, and law enforcement can be trusted, credible messengers when it comes to providing guidance on gun violence prevention and safe firearm storage options,” the announcement reads.

First Lady Jill Biden along with White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Director Stefanie Feldman and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona held a town hall on January 25, 2024, with school principals where they shared the importance of safe firearms storage and to emphasize the role principals and education leaders play in prevent gun violence.

“I know we ask a lot of our educators, and I know that these shootings affect you too, so I want to thank you for all you have already done for coming here and being willing to push a little harder and to do this one more thing,” First Lady Jill Biden told attendees. “This issue matters to the President, it weighs on his heart every day, and he is not going to stop fighting until we’ve solve it.”