House approves tax credit for firearm-safety devices as suicide-prevention measure

The House passed sixth substitute HB 326 to provide a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $50 for the purchase of firearm-safety devices (locks, lockboxes, biometric safes and similar devices). Representative McPherson, sponsor of the substitute, described the measure as an incentive-based approach after earlier state rebate programs experienced fraud and administrative costs. He and supporters emphasized youth suicide-prevention and means-reduction, noting that many youth suicides involve firearms obtained from unsecured household guns.

Floor debate included personal accounts and data references. Representative McPherson said a prior DHHS rebate program had a fraud rate that required eliminating roughly 20% of claimed applications; other speakers, including Representative Elison and Representative Briscoe, recounted distribution programs and personal experience with lock devices that reduced risk. Opponents registered concerns during debate; the final recorded vote on the sixth substitute was 42 yes, 26 no. The bill will now be sent to the Senate.