Equal Shot Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2562
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:56:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Equal Shot Act of 2025 (S. 2562)
Purpose
This legislation aims to ensure that the Small Business Administration (SBA) treats applicants from the firearms industry equally when they seek financial assistance, preventing any policies that single them out based solely on their industry involvement.
Key Provisions
- Defines key terms:
- Firearm entity: Any business involved in designing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing, importing, promoting, or selling firearms, ammunition, components, accessories, or related products (such as scopes, silencers, magazines, holsters, and storage devices).
- Firearm entity affiliate: Entities like sport shooting ranges or firearms training providers connected to firearm entities.
- Firearm trade association: Organizations representing firearm entities or affiliates.
- Prohibits the SBA Administrator from adopting any policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against otherwise eligible applicants for loans, loan guarantees, or other assistance under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, if the sole reason is the applicant's status as a firearm entity, affiliate, or trade association.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a specific statutory restriction on SBA decision-making that did not previously exist in this form, mandating nondiscrimination for this industry category while leaving other eligibility rules unchanged.
- Applies equally to both direct SBA programs and investment-related assistance, reinforcing equal access without altering the core structure of the referenced acts.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Limits the SBA's flexibility to create or maintain industry-specific restrictions in its assistance programs, requiring uniform application of eligibility standards.
- On citizens and businesses: Provides firearms-related small businesses and related entities with clearer access to federal financial support, potentially aiding operations, expansion, or recovery efforts.
- On international relations: No direct provisions or effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Firearms manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and accessory producers.
- Shooting ranges and firearms training providers.
- Firearms trade associations.
- The SBA and its administrators.
- Small business owners seeking SBA loans or guarantees in the defined sectors.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Raises questions about equal protection under the law by carving out explicit protections for one industry group.
- May intersect with ongoing debates over federal agency authority and industry-specific treatment, though the bill itself remains narrowly focused on SBA assistance processes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (18)
Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL], Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-31: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 2025-07-31: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Equal Shot Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-31 — PDF (3 pages)