The Bill of Rights wins again against gun control. Despite the efforts of corporate America, Democrats, media, or media to convince us that gun controls are popular, they aren’t. It wasn’t a good idea for credit card companies to kowtow to gun control lobby to track gun sales. The opposite happened, prompting Visa and Mastercard’s rethinking of their positions. Visa and Mastercard suspend tracking credit card gun purchases following the decision by credit card processing companies to implement International Organization for Standardization’s merchant category code. A series of bills were introduced in state legislatures to stop it. According to Bloomberg, Visa, Mastercard and Discover have suspended the plan. Bloomberg reports that “The payments giants [Visa, Mastercard] and Discover Financial Services are delaying work after a series bill in state legislatures targeted International Organization for Standardization’s new merchant category code. According to a spokesperson for Visa, the MCC was designed to be used in processing transactions for ammunition and gun stores. Discover also stated that it will be removing the MCC to “continue alignment and interoperability within the industry.” According to the Daily Wire, “Nearly twenty-six GOP attorneys general sent a letter in September to Visa, Mastercard and American Express regarding plans to adopt the new code to track gun and ammunition purchases.” The state prosecutors warned companies that such tracking could infringe Americans’ Second Amendment rights.” Many are celebrating the reversal. In his celebratory tweet, however, one senator highlighted two serious issues. In particular, he stated that US companies are now taking orders from international non-governmental organizations and that the financial sector is becoming more politicized. It’s time, it’s just about time. US companies shouldn’t be taking orders of international NGOs to target legal sectors.
This politicization must stop.
https://t.co/wh7VezAH2o– Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) March 9, 2023 NSSF Responds The NSSF finds encouragement in the pause stating, “The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is encouraged by the announcement from Visa and MasterCard that they will “pause” plans to implement a special Merchant Category Code (MCC) specific to purchases at firearm retailers with their credit cards. American Express and Discover later confirmed the announcement. They had previously announced plans for the implementation of the special codes. “This is a positive sign that major credit card companies have acknowledged the dangers of implementing this special MCC to purchase at firearm retailers. This announcement is not a withdrawal of these codes, but a pause. “NSSF is committed to ensuring that these specific MCCs not be used at all as they have the potential for exploitation of customer privacy and denial of services by politically-motivated activists. These codes were created by Amalgamated Bank, Andrew Ross Sorkin and were specifically designed to track lawful purchases of ammunition and firearms by law-abiding Americans. “In reality, it’s only the first step to admitting these two parties to the investigation and eventual denial of Constitutional rights by those who oppose lawful firearm ownership. NSSF will continue working with Congress and state legislators to end this blatantly discriminatory practice using private enterprise to create a back-door firearm registry. Keep checking Personal Defense World for more information. PDW reported on February 23, 2023: Last year, we reported that credit card companies would track gun purchases using a new ISO code. The unconstitutional plan was not received well by the firearm community. The list below includes 24 Attorney Generals who weren’t keen on the idea (below). Unfortunately, the gun control lobby believes they are above the Constitution and is out of control. They plan to move forward in April. Credit Card Company Discover to Track Firearm Purchases Discover announced recently that it will implement the International Organization for Standardization’s new code starting in April. The ISO is responsible for determining merchant categories that are accepted by payment cards. In an apparent attempt to reduce gun violence, the ISO created a code for gun retailers last September. This code was created at a time when the current administration is trying to declare gun violence a public safety crisis. We all know what happens when Democrats call something a public crisis. Reuters reports that a Discover spokesperson stated that other payment network companies had already implemented the new code in April and that Discover was following their lead. “The Discover spokesperson declined to identify those peers.” American Express representatives also declined to comment. The companies stated last fall that they would implement the code while respecting privacy rights. The code will be made available to payment processors at the end February by Discover. Other credit card companies will likely follow the example of Discover, although no dates have been set. This, along with California’s new bill that requires banks to discriminate against firearm makers, is yet another unconstitutional way to circumvent the Second Amendment. PDW reported on September 22, 2022: Some people consider credit cards a useful backup or tool for online shopping, while others see them as a necessity. Personal preference has always been to use cash for ammunition and firearm purchases. Some people find it easier to use a credit or debit card for their gun and ammo purchases. It seems that this is now a worse idea than ever. 24 Attorneys General warn credit card companies not to track gun purchases. As we have already stated in our original report, the Merchant Category Code change is nothing more than backdoor gun control. 24 Attorneys General oppose it. That’s almost half of the country, if you keep track. They sent a warning letter to credit card companies advising them not to go ahead with the new code. The letter was sent to the CEOs at Visa, Mastercard, American Express. The letter was sent to the CEOs of Visa, Mastercard and American Express. It will only target law-abiding citizens, and their Constitutional Second Amendment rights. False and misleading information is also possible
First, tracking and monitoring gun store sales would result in misleading and vague information. This categorization wouldn’t recognize the difference between buying a gun safe or a firearm. It also creates a situation for misuse. “More importantly,” purposefully tracking this data can only lead to its misuse, either intentional or unintentional. This data should not be created or tracked if your institutions plan to use it for other, more harmful actions, such as infringing on consumer privacy, preventing constitutionally protected purchases, selectively restricting your payment systems, withholding financial services from “disfavored” merchants, or infringing on consumer privacy. A Stark Warning: The AGs inform the CEOs that their actions could lead to civil and criminal liability. They cite press releases from public officials that indicate this was done in collaboration with other state actors. They issue a stark warning to credit card companies: “Social policies should be discussed and decided within our political institutions. Americans are tired of corporate leverage being used to advance political ends that do not have basic democratic support. The Second Amendment is a fundamental American right. However, it’s also fundamental American value. Our financial institutions must stop lending their market power and money to anyone who would attempt to undermine that value. “We will use all of our legal authority to protect our citizens from any attempts to undermine their constitutional rights. Keep this in mind when you decide whether to adopt and implement this Merchant Category Code. Mastercard and American Express had already pledged their loyalty to gun control advocates, but Visa was the last straw. Recently, Visa gave in to the Democrats’ demands to flag gun and ammunition purchases. Guns and ammo sales were not included in other categories, such as general merchandise or sporting items. The International Organization for Standardization has voted to create a new merchant code for firearm stores. They are selling it to track suspicious sales. According to Reuters, “Amalgamated Chief Executive Priscilla SIMS Brown stated that the codes would allow financial institutions to use new tools for detection and reporting suspicious activity associated with gun traficking and mass shootings, while not impeding legal guns sales.” This seems like a good idea, but as with everything in the gun control lobby, it is worth digging deeper. John Feinblatt, president and CEO of Everytown for Gun Safety, said that today’s announcement was a crucial first step towards giving credit card companies and banks the tools they need in order to recognize dangerous firearm buying trends — like a domestic extremist building an arsenal — and report them back to law enforcement. This announcement comes at the same time that the President called Republicans “fascists”, and a “threatto democracy.” Leaked documents from the FBI, DHS and FBI label Second Amendment supporters “Domestic Extremists.” They have the right to claim it’s about reducing gun violence. It’s easy to see the direction of all this when all the pieces come together. The Back Door Democrats and the gun control lobby want us to believe that the majority of Americans want gun controls. But the facts are clear. They know this and keep trying to lock the back door. All things, from labeling gun violence a “public crisis” to forcing shipping companies to stop shipping firearms-related products. Now, credit card companies can track firearm-related purchases. They are aware that gun control is not popular so they’re searching for any avenue that doesn’t require a vote. They also know that people will see what they do, so some gaslighting may be necessary. As was the case with Letitia James, New York Attorney General, who tweeted a nonsensical false equivalent. Credit card companies now need to take the next step and flag suspicious gun and ammunition sales just like they do for money laundering and fraud.
Working together and using all the tools available, we can help our communities and save lives. — NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG September 9, 2022) Someone should remind her that fraud is illegal at every level. Despite their best efforts, firearm ownership is still illegal. They hate the Second Amendment and don’t even try to hide it anymore. This is what you need to remember in November. They will do anything to take away your God-given right of self-defense. I have always advocated for cash being taken to the gun shop. It is more important than ever to leave your credit card at home. I would never use a debit card. It’s not their business if you legally purchase firearm-related items. This is your right as an American citizen. Every year, the U.S. sells a lot of firearms or firearm-related products. It would be a disaster if everyone stopped using their credit cards for these purchases, or at all. Corporations must learn to stay focused on business and not get involved in politics. They can only lose. Continue Reading Search The post UPDATE – Visa, Mastercard Suspend Tracking Credit Card Gun Purchases appeared originally on Personal Defense World.
