Committee adopts amendment and advances bill protecting gun dealers who store veterans’ firearms temporarily

Senate Bill 40, described by sponsors as part of the legislature’s military package and named for service members including Houston Hunter, advanced from committee after members adopted a clarifying amendment.

Sponsor Senator Kelly introduced the bill and invited Mr. Smith, a veteran and a proponent in the audience, to explain the proposal. Mr. Smith summarized the program, saying the bill "protects FFLs" and describing a program called Safer Together under which "a veteran military member or first responder can store their firearms at FFL while they go seek mental health care." He told the committee the program is intended to be “confidential, voluntary, and temporary” and designed to avoid infringing Second Amendment rights while facilitating safe storage.

Committee debate focused on tightening liability language and ensuring the bill explicitly preserves that participation by gun dealers is voluntary and that participants must comply with ATF rules. The committee adopted an amendment that clarifies language about what actions are protected and emphasizes voluntary participation and adherence to ATF guidelines.

After adopting the amendment, the committee voted to give SB 40 a favorable report (the committee record lists the measure as receiving a federal report). Mr. Smith thanked the committee and identified himself as a veteran in response to the chair’s question.

The measure’s supporters framed the bill as a narrowly tailored liability protection to encourage temporary, confidential storage of firearms for veterans and first responders seeking treatment; the amendment tightened liability language and confirmed reference to ATF guidance. Opponents were not recorded during committee debate.