Rep. Scott Wiggam Introduces HB 297: Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination (FIND) Act

Ohio State Representative Scott Wiggam has introduced House Bill 297, the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination (FIND) Act.

This critical legislation would stop corporations seeking government contracts from discriminating against the firearm and ammunition industry and infringing on the ability of law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

"There are far too many so-called 'woke' activists who want to 'cancel' those in the firearm and ammunition business," said Dean Rieck, Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association. "They think nothing of abusing their power to discriminate against those who have done nothing wrong simply because they don't like or use their products or dislike their politics.

"We saw this behavior in the Obama administration when the Department of Justice launched Operation Chokepoint, a politically-motivated effort to deny services to the firearm industry. That sort of partisan behavior continues today as big corporations do the same thing under the disingenuous guise of safety and security policies. We want to thank Representative Wiggam for his leadership on this issue to fight back and end this despicable practice in Ohio."

Ohio’s Firearm Industry Non-discrimination (FIND) Act would force businesses seeking government contracts to verify that they do not have discriminatory policies against the firearm industry and will not discriminate against the firearm industry for the duration of the contract.

This act does not affect the ability of corporations to establish their own policies, but it does give the State of Ohio the ability to exercise discretion over which businesses get contracts. The act also gives Ohio legislators an opportunity to stand with the good men and women who work in an industry that serves the military, law enforcement, and civilians alike.

Georgia and Wyoming have enacted their own versions of the FIND Act to end discrimination against the firearm industry within their borders. Buckeye Firearms Association urges lawmakers to move this bill quickly.

Key Points:

• According to industry surveys, nearly 75% of firearm industry members have been denied services solely because of their affiliation with the firearm industry.
• Discriminatory practices also extend to parts of the firearm industry that sell hunting equipment, teach gun safety courses, and make gun safes.
• Taxpayer dollars should not be used to benefit companies that seek to restrict the Second Amendment rights of those same taxpayers.
• Corporations can decide who they want to do business with, and so can the state of Ohio.
• The Ohio legislature passed a similar law in 2016 to require that the state not do business with companies that boycott Israel.

Dean Rieck is Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, a former competitive shooter, NRA Patron Member, #1 NRA Recruiter for 2013, business owner and partner with Second Call Defense.