Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 25, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to prevent federal funds from being used to create or maintain state-level registries of legal firearm ownership, while still permitting federal support for tracking lost or stolen firearms.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits any federal agency from providing funding or other support to states or their political subdivisions for the establishment or maintenance of databases that list lawfully owned firearms or individuals who lawfully own them. It explicitly carves out an exception, allowing federal support for databases that track firearms reported as lost or stolen, or individuals who reported them as such.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill is essential for protecting the Second Amendment rights and privacy of law-abiding citizens by preventing the federal government from facilitating state-level firearm registration, which they view as a precursor to confiscation. They contend it safeguards sensitive personal information from potential misuse by government entities.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that prohibiting federal funding for such databases could hinder states' ability to implement public safety measures they deem necessary, potentially limiting their capacity to track firearms involved in crimes or to manage gun violence data effectively. They may also assert it restricts federal support for legitimate state efforts to enhance public safety.
The bill is exceptionally short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly and efficiently.
Section 2(b)
Prohibition on Federal Funding for State Firearm Ownership Databases
This provision explicitly forbids any federal agency from providing financial assistance or other forms of support to states or their political subdivisions for the creation or upkeep of databases that record lawfully owned firearms or the individuals who lawfully own them. This means federal dollars cannot be used to help states build or maintain registries of gun owners or their legal firearms, aiming to prevent federal entanglement in such state-level data collection efforts.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is crucial for protecting the privacy and Second Amendment rights of firearm owners by preventing federal entanglement in state-level registration efforts, which they often view as an infringement on constitutional liberties. They believe it prevents the creation of lists that could be misused or lead to confiscation.
Critics contend
Opponents might contend that this prohibition unnecessarily restricts states' autonomy and ability to implement public safety measures they deem appropriate, potentially hindering efforts to track firearms involved in crime or manage gun violence data effectively. They may argue it ties the hands of states that wish to pursue such databases.
Tradeoffs
The bill navigates the tension between federal non-interference in state policy and the protection of individual rights. It balances the federal government's role in supporting state initiatives against concerns about individual privacy and Second Amendment rights regarding firearm ownership.
Section 2(c)
Exception for Lost or Stolen Firearm Databases
This subsection clarifies that the prohibition on federal funding does not apply to state or local databases specifically designed to list firearms that have been reported as lost or stolen, or to list individuals who have reported their firearms as lost or stolen. This ensures that federal support can still be provided for legitimate law enforcement efforts to track and recover illegally obtained firearms, distinguishing these from databases of lawful ownership.