REP. MIKE LEVIN SWORN IN FOR 119TH CONGRESS MARKING FOURTH TERM
Reintroduces Bipartisan Gun Safety Legislation to Build on Successful Legislative Record
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The 119th Congress
Washington, D.C.- Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) was sworn in for a fourth term as a Member of the 119th Congress representing California’s 49th Congressional District which includes North County San Diego and South Orange County. During this new Congress, Rep. Levin will build on his successful record of passing over 30 bipartisan laws and bringing over $1 billion dollars to the district for projects that address residents’ priorities.
“Serving the residents of California’s 49th Congressional District is the honor of my life, and I deeply appreciate the faith and confidence my constituents have placed in me to represent them. I hope to continue to make them proud,” said Rep. Levin. “I begin my work today the same way I did during the start of my Congressional career in 2019: with a commitment to working across the aisle to deliver results for our district. Together with the support of my constituents and bipartisan partnerships, I will build on my legislative record and continue to tackle the pressing challenges facing our district, California, and our country. I am more dedicated than ever to reaching bipartisan common ground wherever I can while fighting extremism whenever I must.”
Rep. Levin will continue to tackle the top priorities of the 49th District: bringing down the cost of living, expanding sand replenishment efforts, addressing the spent nuclear fuel at San Onofre, protecting our coastal rail corridor, and bringing federal resources back home. Additionally, Rep. Levin will continue working on legislation to protect Social Security and Medicare, improve the lives of veterans, and tackle climate change.
Today, as his Day 1 bill priority, Rep. Levin reintroduced the bipartisan Prevent Family Fire Act of 2025 with Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA-40). This bill would promote gun safety and reduce gun violence, including suicides and accidental shootings, by providing a modest tax credit for retailers to incentivize the sale of safe storage devices for firearms.
“Family fire” refers to a shooting caused by someone who had unauthorized access to a gun that was unsafely stored. The Prevent Family Fire Act provides a tax credit to retailers for external devices sold in the United States that are designed and marketed to deny unauthorized access to, or render inoperable, a firearm or ammunition, and secured by a combination, key, or biometric lock. The credit is equal to 10 percent of cost at sale, with a maximum of $40 per device sold.
“There is an epidemic of gun violence in this country, and both Democrats and Republicans must come together to enact commonsense reforms to save lives,” said Rep. Levin. “We are faced almost daily with tragedies that have gripped the nation and it’s time we do more to address gun violence. This bill is a strong step we can take to reduce unintentional discharges, suicides, and school shootings by incentivizing the sale of safe storage of firearms. I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation on the first day of the 119th Congress with my colleague Rep. Lawler, and I will continue to fight to advance legislation that reduces gun violence and protects families.”
“As a father of two young girls, I know first-hand the importance of working to keep our children safe. Too often, we hear of tragedies involving accidental firearm discharges harming children, and around four million kids live in homes with access to a loaded, unlocked firearm. Encouraging the use of gun safes by providing a tax credit to purchasers will help ensure these preventable tragedies do not occur. That’s why I’m proud to once again introduce the Prevent Family Fire Act. I firmly believe this legislation will help protect kids and save lives,” said Congressman Lawler.
“Far too many American families know the tragic consequences that can occur when children gain access to a loaded weapon,” said Congressman Boyle. “Our commonsense, bipartisan bill will reduce gun violence and protect families by incentivizing the sale and use of safe gun storage devices. As parents, we must do everything in our power to keep our children safe — and I will continue working to address the plague of gun violence that has torn so many families apart.”
“Incentivizing the safe storage of guns protects law abiding citizens’ safe usage of guns while reducing the chance of gun violence, suicide, or accidental shootings,” said Rep. Kim. “As a mother of four and new grandmother, protecting the safety of our kids, our schools, and our communities is personal to me. I’m proud to join Rep. Levin to introduce this bipartisan bill and will always support commonsense policies that save lives and keep our communities safe.”
Approximately 4.6 million children live in households with unlocked, loaded guns, and only 30 percent of self-identified gun owners who live with children reported safely storing their firearms. The majority of school shootings involved firearms stolen from relatives, and more than 80 percent of guns used by youth in suicide attempts were kept in the home of the victim, a relative, or a friend. Keeping firearms safely stored reduces the chances of family fire by 73 percent, and according to studies, even a modest intervention that motivates households to safely store guns could reduce youth firearm deaths by up to 32 percent.
The bipartisan Prevent Family Fire Act is endorsed by: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Fraternal Order of Police, GIFFORDS, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), and Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).
“Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States, and most firearm deaths are by suicide. AFSP strongly supports the Prevent Family Fire Act, which will promote firearm safety by reducing taxes on secure firearm storage devices,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Secure storage devices can prevent children and youth from accessing firearms without their parents' knowledge, and in so doing, can save lives. We commend Representative Levin and Representative Lawler for championing this legislation and for their leadership in preventing firearm suicide.”
“Firearms dealers who talk to their customers about safe storage devices more than double the chances those gun owners will lock up their firearms at home, greatly reducing the likelihood of suicide and unintentional injury. With 4.6 million American children living in homes with unsecured guns and a surge in first-time firearm ownership since 2019, encouraging conversations with these trusted messengers has never been more critical. The Prevent Family Fire Act will incentivize dealers to engage their customers about safe storage, preventing countless tragedies. Brady applauds Reps. Mike Levin, Mike Lawler, Brendan Boyle, and Young Kim for reintroducing this bipartisan legislation,” said Mark Collins, Federal Policy Director, Brady.
“Our law enforcement members witness firsthand the devastating impact of improperly stored
firearms in our communities,” said PORAC President Brian R. Marvel. “Responsible firearm ownership is crucial to public safety. This bill will play a vital role in protecting our communities by reducing the risks associated with unsecured firearms.”
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