Representative Riley Moore (R-WV) introduced the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act which would ban using a unique Merchant Category Code (MCC) for transactions involving firearms and ammunition.
A MCC is a code that credit card processing companies attach to purchases. This code identifies what type of store an item is purchased from. For example, if someone buys something from Walmart, the merchant code will display “general merchandise.” If someone buys something from Dicks Sporting Goods, the MCC will read “sporting goods.” This distinction helps credit card companies determine what their cards are being used for.
In 2022, the International Standards Organization (ISO) approved the creation of a new MCC specific to gun and ammunition stores. These codes were introduced after pressure from anti-gun legislators in Congress and anti-gun advocates. Gun rights advocates are worried that these codes can be used to create a registry of gun owners. Although the specific firearm will not be listed. It can also allow credit card companies and banks to block gun sales.
After backlash from the Second Amendment community, credit card companies backed off their plan to implement the codes in the short term, but the threat still exists. These billion-dollar companies can turn on the codes anytime they choose without recourse from users. Rep. Moore believes his bill is necessary to safeguard the rights of Americans.
“I’ve spent the better part of my short career in public service fighting financial institutions that push a political agenda,” Moore said. “Let me be clear: any attempt to collect data on Americans simply exercising their God-given rights is wrong, and I won’t stand for it.”
Rep. Moore isn’t the only member of Congress pushing the bill. The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act is being championed by Rep Andy Barr (R-KY) and Rep Richard Hudson (R-NC). In addition to these members of Congress, 23 other House members are cosponsoring the bill.
“The American people are fed up with gun grabbing liberals’ attempts to encroach on their Constitutionally protected rights,” Hudson said, adding he is “proud to join Congressman Moore in introducing legislation to protect the freedom and privacy of law-abiding gun owners.”
Some states want to force banks to use these codes, and anti-gun groups have advocated for their use. The bill does address this concern. It specifically says that the proposed law would preempt any state law requiring the use of the codes, meaning that no state could force the payment processor’s hands. This provision, among others, has garnered support from groups like NSSF, GOA, and the NRA.
“Anti-gunners have repeatedly tried to weaponize financial institutions to de-bank the firearms industry and undermine the Second Amendment,” Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America, said. “The recent abuse of Merchant Category Codes to track gun owners is just the latest example of the violation of our privacy. Thank you to Representatives Moore, Hudson, and Barr for introducing this legislation to prohibit the tracking and backdoor registration of firearm and ammunition sales.”
If the bill is passed and becomes law, it will go into effect 90 days after President Trump has signed it. At that point, if a gun store is required to use a gun-specific MCC, they would report it. The Department of Justice (DOJ) would give the company 30 days to rectify the situation. After 30 days, if the problem isn’t solved, the credit card processing company will be enjoined from using the codes.
The bill could pass the House since Republicans have control, but a super-majority of 60 votes is needed in the Senate to get a bill passed. That requirement means that at least seven Democrats must cross the aisle to vote for the bill to send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Civil Rights Group Lauds Bill To Ban Merchant Category Codes Tracking Gun Sales
About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people from all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons, follow him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
A bill for a change that never should have happened.
Demonkkkrats suck!!!!
Why do CC companies have to know what their cards are being used for in the first place?
Would this have any effect on things like PayPal which prohibit their services from being used on inanimate steel, aluminum, walnut, polymer, brass, and lead?
Or would it be limited to entities like Wells Fargo and Visa, etc?