Protecting Our Second Amendment Data

Summary#

This bill, titled the Protecting Our Second Amendment Data Act, changes parts of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It requires organizations that apply for several federal grants to certify that during the previous fiscal year they did not intentionally, accidentally, or otherwise knowingly disclose personally identifiable information (PII) of people involved in: registering a firearm, applying for a concealed carry permit, applying for an open carry permit, or applying for a background check related to firearm possession. The bill adds this certification requirement to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, several discretionary grant rules, COPS grants, and grants to private organizations. The bill also adds definitions for "firearm" (using the definition in 18 U.S.C. 921) and for "personally identifiable information," with examples such as name, Social Security number, date and place of birth, biometric records, phone numbers, and other demographic, medical, or financial information.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a State, local government, Indian tribe, or other organization applying for the named grants, you must provide a certification about non-disclosure of firearm-related PII for the previous fiscal year.
  • The certification must state that the applicant did not intentionally, accidentally, or otherwise knowingly disclose the listed PII in the covered firearm transactions.
  • The bill defines what counts as PII and what is meant by "firearm," so applicants will use those definitions when preparing certifications.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs, budget changes, or funding impacts is included in the bill text. The bill text does not provide estimates of administrative costs to agencies or applicants.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.