COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a recent decision by the Ohio Senate, Senate Bill 148 was passed with overwhelming Republican support to protect the privacy of firearms purchases. The bill, introduced by Senator Terry Johnson, aims to prevent financial institutions from assigning a specific code to identify purchases made at firearms retailers, ultimately safeguarding Second Amendment rights and financial privacy.
The bill, known as the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibits government entities from keeping a list or registry of privately owned firearms or their owners. It also prohibits financial institutions from distinguishing firearms retailers from other retailers by assigning a firearms code. This code would enable credit card companies to track lawful firearm purchases, potentially leading to violations of privacy and Second Amendment rights.
Supporters of the bill, including the Buckeye Firearms Association, argue that creating a merchant category code for gun purchases would invade the privacy of firearm owners and could lead to the government potentially seizing firearms based on “suspicious” purchases. The bill empowers the Ohio Attorney General to investigate alleged violations and take civil action against perpetrators.
However, opponents of Senate Bill 148 believe it is unnecessary government interference in private transactions and could hinder efforts to track illegal firearm purchases. They argue that the bill prioritizes the privacy concerns of gun owners over public safety and crime prevention.