Columbus, OH – Ohio gun owners can breathe easier after the signing of Senate Bill 58 by Governor Mike DeWine, which ensures that firearm purchases will not be tracked by financial institutions and eliminates the requirement for gun owners to carry liability insurance. The new law, known as the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, was signed late Wednesday, with strong support from pro-gun organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Buckeye Firearms Association.
Senate Bill 58 prohibits government entities from maintaining a list of privately owned firearms or firearm owners and stops financial institutions from applying a separate firearms code to merchants that sell firearms and ammunition. The bill specifically targets a rule introduced by major credit card companies in 2022 that would have implemented a new four-digit code to classify retailers selling firearms and ammunition. The rule has been on hold since its introduction.
“Once again, our Second Amendment rights are under attack by a leftist international organization seeking to infringe on our constitutional right to purchase firearms,” said Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), who sponsored the bill. “Enough is enough. Senate Bill 58 preserves your fundamental Second Amendment rights and safeguards your privacy from both big government and private corporations.”
In addition to protecting gun owners’ privacy, the bill also prohibits cities and local governments from mandating liability insurance for gun owners. The provision, which was supported by the NRA, aims to prevent unnecessary financial burdens on law-abiding gun owners. According to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, no political subdivisions in Ohio currently require gun owners to carry such insurance.
“Mandating firearms liability insurance for law-abiding gun owners is an unnecessary burden that infringes upon their constitutionally protected rights,” stated John Weber of the NRA during his testimony before the Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee. “Liability insurance won’t cover criminal acts, and those who break the law are already held accountable through our justice system.”
While the bill received praise from pro-gun groups, it faced opposition from organizations such as the Ohio Mayors Alliance and the Ohio Municipal League, who voiced concerns about the potential implications for local governments.
Senate Bill 58 now becomes law, strengthening protections for gun owners across Ohio and ensuring that their privacy and rights are safeguarded.
