WASHINGTON, D.C.–If you own guns and you’d like to keep that info on the down low, then you’ll probably be interested in a new U.S. Senate bill introduced this week that would prevent federal money from going to any non-federal gun registries, including your state and local government.
The Gun-owner Registration Information Protection Act was introduced by Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and has 12 co-sponsors in the Senate.
“The federal government should not play any role in misguided gun control initiatives that involve the storage or public distribution of personal information of law-abiding people who own or purchase firearms legally,” said Cochran.
“There is nothing in law today that says federal resources can’t be used, either intentionally or otherwise by a state or local government, to collect and store personally identifiable information related to legal firearm purchases and ownership. This legislation would close that loophole,” he said.
The bill has the backing of the National Rifle Assoc.
“Gun registries lead to confiscation. That’s why they are at the top of every gun control supporter’s wish list,” said Chris Cox, NRA executive director.
The legislation does not include any limitations related to state record keeping for permitting, law enforcement-issued firearms, or lost or stolen firearms.
Cochran’s camp said the GRIP Act, was inspired, in part, by a Mississippi state law from 2013 that ensures the personal information of carry permit holders and applicants remains confidential and exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act.
Original cosponsors of the GRIP Act include Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Me.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
