Bill to protect privacy of gun owners heads to governor’s desk

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — A bill aimed at protecting the privacy of people who purchase firearms is officially on its way to Governor Andy Beshear’s desk.

Representative Michael Meredith and Representative Derek Lewis who sponsor House Bill 357 say the current merchant codes allow financial institutions to discriminate against gun shops and gun owners, something both representatives say is an infringement on Kentuckians right to privacy.

Gun shop owner Barrett Block agrees.

“It’s really important that people can purchase and own firearms confidentially because ultimately that is a constitutionally protected right,” Block said.

House Bill 357’s main goal is to eliminate merchant codes that allow financial institutions to see when someone purchases a firearm.

“As a retailer, I can tell you we’ve had a number of customers in recent years express a lot of concern when they go to use a credit card or a debit card at our store, because they’re afraid people that disapprove of purchasing firearms will be able to see that they’ve shopped at a gun store,” Block said.