Why It Matters: Firearms have long been one of the most important tools for participating in our outdoor traditions. Recognizing this, the Nebraska legislature is considering two bills that would respectively protect firearm purchasers from having their firearm and ammunition purchases tracked while also protecting the firearm industry from discriminatory business practices.
Highlights:
- Nebraska Legislative Bill 686 (LB 686) would protect hunters and recreational shooters from having their firearm and ammunition purchases tracked or halted by financial institutions.
- Nebraska Legislative Bill 687 (LB 687) would make it an unlawful discriminatory practice to refuse a good or service of any kind on the basis that the business is engaged in the lawful commerce of firearms and ammunition.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been actively supporting these efforts to protect both firearm purchasers and retailers in the Cornhusker State.
On March 17, Nebraska Legislative Bills 686 and 687 were heard in the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation provided testimony in support of both pieces of legislation.
Legislative Bill 686 would protect hunters and recreational shooters from having their purchases tracked or halted by financial institutions when purchasing a firearm or ammunition and would prohibit banking institutions from using distinct merchant category codes to distinguish firearm retailers from other general sporting goods stores. CSF provided testimony in support of LB 686, highlighting the importance of firearm ownership to Nebraskans, as well as the role that firearms and ammunition play in supporting Nebraska’s conservation efforts through the American System of Conservation Funding. If passed, the personal information of sportsmen and women would be protected, ensuring that they are not at increased risk being harassed by anti-gunners and anti-hunters, which is critical to the continued success of the time-honored outdoor traditions in the Cornhusker State.
Legislative Bill 687, or the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act, would make it an unlawful discriminatory practice to refuse a good or service, or to terminate an existing contract solely on the basis that the business is engaged in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition. CSF also provided testimony in support of LB 687, explaining that discriminatory business practices against the firearm and ammunition industry have become increasingly common and legislation like LB 687 would protect firearm and ammunition manufacturers and retailers from these discriminatory practices. If passed, firearm and ammunition industries in Nebraska would not have to worry about discrimination and could continue to engage in the lawful commerce of firearm and ammunition products.
