S.137 - Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act; FIND Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.137, the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act (FIND Act), aims to prevent the federal government from contracting with entities that discriminate against firearm or ammunition industries. The bill amends Title 41 of the United States Code to include provisions requiring contractors to certify they do not discriminate against firearm entities or trade associations. This prohibition extends to subcontractors, with penalties for violations including contract termination and debarment proceedings.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would likely lead to changes in federal contracting practices. Companies seeking federal contracts would need to ensure their policies do not discriminate against the firearm industry. This could potentially increase opportunities for firearm-related businesses in the federal contracting space.
Potential Benefits
- Protects firearm-related businesses from discriminatory practices in federal contracting.
- Ensures fair consideration of firearm entities in government procurement processes.
- May promote competition and innovation within the firearm industry.
- Could lead to increased participation of firearm businesses in federal contracts.
- Reinforces the principle of non-discrimination in government contracting.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May limit the government's ability to consider social responsibility factors in contracting.
- Could increase costs for federal agencies due to a reduced pool of eligible contractors.
- May face legal challenges based on constitutional or statutory grounds.
- Could be perceived as favoring the firearm industry over other sectors.
- May complicate efforts to promote responsible gun safety measures.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex. While the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, the extent to which this protection extends to economic activities related to firearms is debatable. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) grants Congress the power to regulate commerce, but this power is not unlimited and must be balanced against other constitutional rights and principles. The bill could be argued as an attempt to prevent viewpoint discrimination, which may align with First Amendment principles, but this is subject to legal interpretation.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).