Missouri Bill Would Ban Tracking of Private Gun Ownership

Legislation seeks to prohibit government and credit card companies from maintaining records of firearm purchases

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Missouri state senator has introduced a bill that would prohibit government entities from keeping lists or registries of privately-owned firearms, as well as ban credit card networks from using special merchant category codes to distinguish firearm sales. The 'Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act' aims to prevent citizens from being investigated for lawful gun purchases.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation is part of a broader trend in some states to restrict the ability of government and private companies to track and monitor private gun ownership. Supporters argue this protects Second Amendment rights, while critics contend it could hinder law enforcement investigations and efforts to prevent gun violence.

The details

The bill, introduced by Republican state Sen. Jill Carter, would allow records to be kept only during a criminal investigation and prosecution. It would also prohibit credit card networks from using special merchant category codes to identify firearm sales. Similar laws have already been enacted in Kentucky, Tennessee and Iowa.

  • The bill was presented to a Missouri Senate committee on Monday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Jill Carter

A Republican state senator from Granby, Missouri who introduced the 'Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act'.

Darren LaSorte

A representative from the National Shooting Sports Foundation who spoke in favor of the bill at the hearing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This bill draws a clear line. Lawful gun ownership must never be treated as inherently suspicious.”

— Jill Carter, State Senator (Columbia Missourian)

“This is stuff that if I talked about seven years ago, you'd throw me in a padded room and call me a conspiracy theorist. It's happening now, and what this bill does is simply prohibits it from happening in the state of Missouri.”

— Darren LaSorte, National Shooting Sports Foundation (Columbia Missourian)

What’s next

The Missouri Senate committee will consider the bill and decide whether to advance it to the full state legislature for a vote.

The takeaway

This legislation reflects ongoing debates over the balance between gun rights and public safety, as well as the role of government and private companies in monitoring firearm purchases. The outcome in Missouri could influence similar efforts in other states.