Committee considers expanding Public Records Act exemptions for firearm purchase and concealed-carry records

Representative Walsh opened the hearing on House Bill 2235, describing it as a technical fix to ensure that permit-to-purchase application materials and firearm transfer records receive the same Public Records Act protections already applied to concealed pistol license applications. "When we passed into law the permit to purchase, it was not clear whether the information ... would be exempt from the Public Records Act," Walsh said, and urged the committee to "vote yes" on the bill.

Staff summarized the bill’s scope: beginning May 1, 2027, permit-to-purchase applicants would submit fingerprints and other identifying information; HB 2235 would exempt such application materials, denials, and associated documents from public disclosure, and extend similar protections to transfer and concealed-license application records.

Public testimony was split. Roland Thompson, representing several media associations, called the bill "an extension of previous policies" and noted operational inconsistencies in denials. A lawyer opposing the expansion argued the change "is a solution seeking a problem that doesn't exist" and stressed transparency in permitting. Several witnesses representing firearm-rights groups and individual residents urged privacy protections to prevent stalking, doxing, and theft if personal data were released; one testifier suggested narrow exceptions for university researchers and professional media if research depends on access to records.

The committee closed testimony after multiple in-room and online speakers; no committee vote on HB 2235 was recorded in this session.