Gun Lock Devices

11.1 What is the purpose of this chapter? This chapter establishes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) policy concerning child safety lock, or gun lock, devices.

11.2 What is the scope of this chapter? This chapter applies to:

A. Anyone we authorize to carry a firearm for official use, and

B. Each individual firearm that we own, have seized, or issue to employees (also see 442 FW 1).

11.3 What is the policy?

A. We must issue a child safety lock (gun lock) for every individual firearm, including handguns and shoulder-fired weapons (shotguns and rifles), that we own, have seized, or issue to employees.

B. When not routinely carrying or using their Service-issued firearms, employees must secure them for storage using the issued child safety lock.

C. A gun box used for storing firearms is not a locking device; its use does not satisfy the requirements of this policy.

11.4 What is a child safety lock? A child safety lock is:

A. A device that prevents a firearm from being discharged without first deactivating or removing the device by using a key or mechanically, electronically, or electro-mechanically operated combination lock; or

B. A locking mechanism incorporated into the design of the firearm that prevents discharge of the weapon by anyone not having access to a key or other specially designed device.

11.5 What are the responsibilities associated with the gun lock devices policy?  Table 11-1 shows who in the Service has responsibilities associated with this policy.

Table 11-1: Responsibilities associated with the gun lock devices policy