The push by states favoring gun control to essentially create a national registry of weapons purchased using credit cards may hit a brick wall. That is due to S 4075, or the Protecting Privacy in Purchasing Act, which has now been introduced in the U.S. Senate.
Sen. Bill Hagerty’s (R-TN) proposal would prohibit the enactment of a specific merchant category code (MCC) to track firearm transactions. It is modeled on several such examples enacted by states that respect Second Amendment rights.
In a statement, the senator declared that “merchant category codes should never be used to track and surveil gun store customers.” Hagerty warned that, if allowed to get away with this latest scheme, gun rights opponents will hardly stop there.
He added, “This bill is critical to preventing the politicization of MCC codes and securing the civil liberties of law-abiding Americans.”
Hagerty’s legislation gained strong support from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the industry trade association. The group noted that the proposal is like H.R. 7450, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Andy Barr (R-KY) and Richard Hudson (R-NC).
The NSSF observed that federal officials admitted to Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) that they used purchase data to smear those who bought firearms as “potential domestic terrorists.” This was done without a warrant or probable cause by the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane expressed the worry of Second Amendment advocates.
“No American should be concerned that the federal government is employing this scheme, concocted by gun control cheerleaders, that weaponizes an individual’s finances and their free exercise of Second Amendment rights to wrongly identify them as a criminal-in-waiting.”
While several states recently moved to protect financial data of gun purchasers, California went in the opposite direction. In 2023 it passed a law requiring credit card companies to use an MCC specific to firearm retailers.
The “Need Money for Pew Pew” shirt serves not just as a piece of apparel but as a bold statement of our commitment to the Second Amendment and the culture of shooting sports. This shirt embodies the principles of responsibility, safety, and freedom that define us. Wearing it is a powerful way to contribute to the cause, engage in conversations, and stand firm in our beliefs.
In a world where visibility and voice are crucial, let the “Need Money for Pew Pew” shirt be your banner.
Show your support, make a statement, and help keep our culture thriving by purchasing the “Need Money for Pew Pew” shirt today. Your engagement is a testament to the strength and unity of our community.
Click below to purchase and make your stand today.