[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 188 (Thursday, November 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1582-E1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE SECURING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FIREARMS 
                              ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 16, 2017

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, in January 2010, the Department of Homeland 
Security

[[Page E1583]]

(DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported that 289 firearms 
issued to DHS officers were lost between fiscal years 2006 and 2008. 
While some reported losses were due to circumstances beyond the control 
of DHS officers, the majority of the losses occurred because firearms 
were not properly secured. The OIG identified that the lack of 
Department-wide firearm policy was a major reason why firearms were not 
secured.
  In October 2017, the OIG reported that despite DHS's efforts 
following the 2010 report to establish enhanced controls and 
monitoring, personnel still did not properly safeguard firearms and 
other sensitive assets. Specifically, DHS reported that between fiscal 
years 2014 and 2016 the Department lost a total of 228 firearms, 1,889 
badges, and 25 immigration stamps. The OIG reported that 57 percent of 
the reports of lost firearms and sensitive assets that it reviewed 
involved officers who did not properly safeguard their sensitive asset 
and 23 percent of the reports did not include sufficient detail to 
determine whether the office properly safeguarded the asset. The 
October report detailed ongoing problems within DHS that contribute to 
failures to safeguard firearms and sensitive assets, including 
insufficient tracking and recording mechanisms, insufficient guidance 
over badges, and poor oversight and enforcement policies.
  The Securing Department of Homeland Security Firearms Act of 2017 
ensures that the Department establishes effective safeguards and 
controls over firearms and other sensitive assets that are issued to 
DHS officers. This legislation requires the Under Secretary for 
Management of the Department of Homeland Security to develop a 
Department-wide directive for achieving adequate security over firearms 
and other sensitive assets across the Department. The directive must 
include requirements for securing Department-issued firearms and other 
sensitive assets and reporting and recordkeeping requirements for lost 
firearms or sensitive assets. Moreover, this bill mandates that heads 
of DHS components provide personnel with training and guidance on how 
to adhere to safeguarding requirements and, in the event a firearm is 
lost or stolen, how to properly report the loss or theft.

                          ____________________