Safe Storage Lockers for House Office Buildings Act

The Safe Storage Lockers for House Office Buildings Act aims to provide a secure way for House of Representatives employees to store self-defense weapons while at work. Under current law, individuals may be authorized to carry items like firearms, stun guns, or self-defense sprays in the District of Columbia, but they are generally prohibited from bringing these items into federal buildings. This bill proposes to bridge that gap by requiring the U.S. Capitol Police to install and manage storage lockers at the external pedestrian entrances of House office buildings.

If enacted, the bill would allow authorized employees—including interns and fellows—to bring their weapons to the building entrance, store them in a designated locker, and retrieve them upon leaving. The proposal specifically targets buildings such as the Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn, Ford, and O’Neill House Office Buildings, as well as the House wing of the Capitol. The lockers would be required to be operational within 180 days of the bill becoming law.

For everyday citizens, the bill primarily impacts the workplace security protocols for congressional staff rather than the general public. However, it reflects a legislative effort to address personal safety concerns for those commuting in Washington, D.C., by allowing them to carry self-defense tools during their commute without violating federal building security rules once they arrive at their destination.