More than 100 members of the U.S. Representatives are demanding answers over the recent creation of a specific code designed to track sales of firearms, ammunition and other related purchases.
Led by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), the legislators penned a letter to Visa CEO Alfred Kelly, in which they queried him about the company’s intent following the recent changes.
“We write you today with grave concern regarding your implementation of a new firearm- specific Merchant Category Code (MCC). This implementation follows an equally concerning decision by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to create this MCC, which is an assault on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens,” reads the letter.
Visa Inc. is the world’s largest credit processor, and one of the most-valuable companies on the planet. Amongst the questions posed to the company were whether or not it supports the decision to create a unique code, what criteria the company will use to “flag” transactions should it implement the new MCC codes, whether or not Visa intends to send data to the government if the codes are implemented, and more.
The letter also asks if Visa, prior to its decision that indicates an intent to implement the new MCCs, solicited any “input from experts in the firearm industry or from any Second Amendment advocacy groups.” It should be noted that Amalgamated Bank—a New York-based bank that lobbied for the unique code’s creation—consulted with “experts” that included Guns Down America and Giffords Law Center, both of which are noted anti-gun groups.
“I am adamantly opposed to this attempt to track the information of law-abiding gun owners and am calling out this attempt to infringe on our Constitutional, Second Amendment rights,” said Stefanik. “I’m working to ensure credit card companies are not aiding in their anti-Second Amendment agenda. I am demanding immediate answers to protect American citizens’ ability to exercise their Constitutional right to bear arms.”
“The NRA applauds Congresswoman Stefanik for taking the lead on this vital issue. She has correctly identified this decision as a capitulation to anti-gun politicians and gun control activists who are determined to create a national gun owner registry and stifle lawful firearm purchases under the guise of reducing violent crime,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
Writing about this recent development, America’s 1st Freedom Editor in Chief Frank Miniter said that “at best, this is an attempt to harass gun owners and treat them like criminals; at worst, this new code, if actually put into use, could be used to make it difficult for gun dealers to stay in business while creating lists of who is buying things at gun stores in America.”
A1F.com will keep you updated on this troubling topic.
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