Kennedy, Risch introduce bill to protect small firearm businesses from discrimination

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and 16 colleagues in introducing the Equal Shot Act, which would prohibit the Small Business Administration (SBA) from discriminating against lawful firearm-related businesses.

"Big Government officials in Washington should never be able to punish small business owners just because they support the Second Amendment. The Equal Shot Act would protect Louisiana's firearm businesses from out-of-control bureaucrats trying to pick winners and losers based on politics," said Kennedy.

"The Equal Shot Act defends the Second Amendment rights of Idaho's small business firearm industry and ensures these law-abiding Americans have fair access to resources that will help them thrive," said Risch.

The Equal Shot Act ensures that firearm-related businesses are treated the same as any other eligible small business when applying for SBA programs without political or ideological bias.

• The bill responds to reports that the SBA, under the Biden administration, used internal policies to deny financial support to lawful firearm-related businesses that help Americans exercise their Second Amendment rights.

• The bill reinforces that federal agencies must remain neutral and may not withhold access to assistance programs from law-abiding businesses based on their industry.

Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The Equal Shot Act ensures every eligible small business is treated fairly and without political bias. Under the Biden Administration, firearm-related businesses were targeted and singled out by federal agencies and financial institutions simply because of what they represent. These law-abiding job creators should not be punished for supporting the Second Amendment. I want to thank Senator Risch for his support on this important legislation. Every business on Main Street deserves the same opportunity to succeed," said Williams.

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) also cosponsored the bill.

Full text of the bill is available here.