WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Higgins (R-LA) introduced the Law Enforcement Protection and Privacy Act, which would further restrict and deter the unlawful disclosure of firearm trace data by strengthening the Tiahrt Amendment.
First enacted in 2003, the Tiahrt Amendment or Tiahrt Rider protects the public disclosure of law enforcement-sensitive trace data contained within the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives (ATF) National Tracing Center (NTC) Firearm Tracing System (FTS). The NTC is a collection of records formed when firearms are recovered and traced by law enforcement during a criminal investigation. The Tiahrt rider allows law enforcement to access and share this sensitive information with other law enforcement agencies in this database. However, despite the clear language of the Tiahrt protections, politically motivated leaks of law enforcement sensitive trace data have endangered law enforcement and harmed lawful federal firearms licensees (FFLs), prompting the need for additional penalties.
“The unlawful disclosure of sensitive firearm trace data greatly jeopardizes criminal investigations and puts law-abiding citizens at risk,” said Congressman Higgins. “This legislation is crucial in protecting the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations and the many lives of those involved, as well as 2nd Amendment rights of every American.”
Congressman Higgins’ legislation has earned widespread support from Second Amendment advocacy groups, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the National Rifle Association (NRA), the National Association for Gun Rights, and the Gun Owners of America (GOA).
“This legislation is long overdue and necessary to send a strong message that there will now be consequences for those who would unlawfully disclose law enforcement sensitive firearm trace data that jeopardizes ongoing criminal investigations and puts the lives of law enforcement officers, undercover agents and witnesses at risk,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “It will prevent the unauthorized release of trace data by ATF to gun control groups and others who have misused the data to launch ‘name and shame’ attacks to smear the reputation of law-abiding members of the firearm industry. We thank Congressman Clay Higgins for his leadership in protecting the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations and the lives of law enforcement officers and witnesses including licensed retailers and their reputations in their communities.”
“Last year, the Biden Administration colluded with its anti-gun allies to publicly name and shame lawful firearms dealers in a clear violation of the Tiahrt amendment,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “We thank Rep. Higgins for introducing the Law Enforcement Protection and Privacy Act to safeguard American businesses from unnecessary reputational damage and protect the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations.”
“The National Association for Gun Rights fully supports Congressman Clay Higgins’ Law Enforcement Protection and Privacy Act. For too long, anti-gun bureaucrats and politicians have illegally weaponized firearm trace data to smear law-abiding gun dealers. This bill puts an end to their reckless abuses by strengthening the Tiahrt Amendment, imposing harsh penalties, and giving victims the power to fight back. Congress must pass this bill now to stop these attacks on gun owners and the Second Amendment,” said Hunter King, Director of Political Affairs for the National Association for Gun Rights.
“The Biden Administration circumvented federal law by leaking sensitive information about gun owners and federal firearms licensees to the gun control lobby. Gun Owners of America is thankful for Rep. Higgins’ bill which protects the privacy of firearm purchasers and sellers while also creating a private right of action as a remedy for anyone wronged by this gross abuse of power.” – Aidan Johnston, Gun Owners of America
