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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB143

Firearm Financial Privacy Act

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law stops banks and payment networks from treating firearm sellers differently than other stores or sharing records about gun purchases.

What it does

  • Requires financial institutions to treat firearm retailers the same as general merchandise or sporting goods stores when using transaction codes.
  • Prohibits banks from refusing service, charging higher fees, or blocking transactions based on whether a sale involves firearms.
  • Bans state agencies and private people from creating lists of privately owned guns or their owners, with exceptions for criminal investigations.
  • Allows firearm sellers or customers to ask the Attorney General to investigate if they believe these rules were broken.
  • Sets fines up to $10,000 for each violation after a court order is ignored and awards legal fees to winners of lawsuits.

Who it affects

  • Financial institutions such as banks
  • Payment networks like credit card associations
  • Firearm retailers selling guns or ammunition in Alaska
  • Customers who buy firearms from these retailers

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not apply to records kept during criminal investigations.
  • Some parts of the bill regarding court rules only take effect if they receive a two-thirds vote in both legislative houses.
  • The official effective date is not listed in the provided text.

Plain language

Terms to know

firearm code
A label used by payment networks to identify if a transaction involves buying a gun, ammo, or parts.
financial record
Documents held by banks showing details about who bought what using a credit or debit card.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

FIREARM FINANCIAL PRIVACY An Act relating to the privacy of firearm transactions; relating to discrimination against firearm retailers by financial institutions and payment networks; relating to the disclosure of financial records by financial institutions and payment networks; and amending Rules 65 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) COSPONSOR(S): UNDERWOOD916
  2. (H) COSPONSOR(S): SADDLER627
  3. (H) COSPONSOR(S): SCHWANKE533
  4. (H) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS508
  5. (H) STA, JUD508
  6. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS508