FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2025
Contact:
Madison Hardy
Janessa Tolman
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and 17 Republican colleagues today introduced the Equal Shot Act. The legislation prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from discriminating against firearm-related businesses.
“Federal agencies have no authority to deny critical support to small businesses based on ideological bias,” said Risch. “The Equal Shot Act defends the Second Amendment rights of Idaho’s small business firearm industry and ensures these law-abiding Americans have fair access to resources that will help them thrive.”
Risch is joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in introducing the Equal Shot Act.
The Equal Shot Act was introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Roger Williams (R-Texas), chairman of the House Committee on Small Business.
“The Equal Shot Act ensures every eligible small business is treated fairly and without political bias,” said Williams. “Under the Biden Administration, firearm-related businesses were targeted and singled out by federal agencies and financial institutions simply because of what they represent. These law-abiding job creators should not be punished for supporting the Second Amendment. I want to thank Senator Risch for his support on this important legislation. Every business on Main Street deserves the same opportunity to succeed.”
“Under the last administration, the Small Business Administration was caught red-handed adopting discriminatory policies aimed at denying financial assistance to members of the firearm industry that provide the means for Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said Lawrence G. Keane, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The federal government should not be picking winners and losers in a free market based on political ideology. Every lawful business should have an equal shot at success. NSSF is grateful to Senator Risch for his leadership in sponsoring the Equal Shot Act which will ensure the Small Business Administration can never again be weaponized to deny financial assistance to help small businesses in our industry grow and create jobs that are vital to the future of our nation’s economy and the Second Amendment.”
About Jim Risch
Jim Risch proudly represents the people of Idaho in the United States Senate. He currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee and sits on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Risch previously served as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Senator. For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.
