In a significant victory for Second Amendment advocates and the right to privacy, Kentucky has taken a bold step forward with the passage of House Bill 357, also known as the Second Amendment Privacy Act. This pioneering legislation, which received robust support from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) marks a crucial milestone in protecting the privacy and financial details of firearm and ammunition purchasers in the Bluegrass State.

Crafted with the dedication and foresight of Kentucky state Representatives Derek Lewis and Michael Meredith, along with state Senator Jason Howell, the Second Amendment Privacy Act ensures that the financial transactions of law-abiding citizens buying firearms and ammunition are shielded from undue scrutiny and politicization. By prohibiting financial institutions from using a specific firearm code to track these purchases, the law stands as a bulwark against discrimination and unwarranted surveillance.

The overwhelming approval of this law by Kentucky’s General Assembly is a testament to the state’s commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights of its citizens. Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel, lauded the move, emphasizing that Kentucky’s leadership is effectively preventing the interference of “woke” financial agendas in the fundamental rights of Americans to bear arms.

“Kentucky’s lawmakers are showing their citizens what leadership-in-action looks like by protecting their privacy and preventing ‘woke’ Wall Street from colluding with government to target them for exercising their Second Amendment rights,” said Keane.

The legislation comes in the wake of revelations that the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had overstepped its bounds by collecting data on gun purchasers without warrants, raising serious Fourth Amendment concerns. This infringement upon the privacy of individuals exercising their Second Amendment rights underscored the necessity of protective measures like Kentucky’s Second Amendment Privacy Act.

Kentucky’s bold stance against the politicization of firearm and ammunition purchases places it among a growing number of states prioritizing the privacy and rights of gun owners. This collective movement, supported by legislative efforts at both state and federal levels, aims to secure the liberties of law-abiding citizens against the backdrop of increasing pressure from certain financial institutions and political entities to undermine Second Amendment freedoms.

The passage of the Second Amendment Privacy Act is not only a win for Kentucky but also sets a precedent for national advocacy, highlighting the importance of vigilance and proactive legislation in protecting the rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Kentucky joins a growing list of states passing similar laws to protect against the invasion of financial privacy when purchasing firearms and ammunition, including Wyoming, Indiana, Utah, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Texas and West Virginia. These states have all passed laws protecting citizens’ Second Amendment privacy. Other states are considering similar legislation. The NSSF notes (and supports) U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik who has introduced H.R. 7450, the NSSF-supported Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide federal-level protections.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom “signed a law requiring the use of a firearm-retailer specific MCC and Colorado is considering similar legislation,” the NSSF reports.