GOP Fights Back Against Unjustifiable Gun Owner Surveillance
In recent years, the Biden administration and its allies have been pushing for the implementation of a new merchant category code (MCC) to track gun store purchases in the United States. This proposal, which was first introduced by Amalgamated Bank and supported by New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, has been met with strong opposition from Republican lawmakers and gun rights advocates.
In September 2022, the International Organization for Standardization approved the use of the MCC to track gun store purchases. American Express, Mastercard, and Visa halted the implementation of this code, citing concerns over its potential impact on law-abiding gun owners; but the credit card companies now say they will implement usage of the code in California.
The proposal to track gun store purchases is a clear violation of the Second Amendment rights of American citizens. It is a blatant attempt by the Biden administration to infringe upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners, and it sets a dangerous precedent for further restrictions on our fundamental freedoms.
The use of the MCC to track gun store purchases is nothing more than a scheme to surveil law-abiding gun owners. This type of surveillance is a clear violation of our right to privacy and is a first step towards gun confiscation. It is unacceptable and dangerous, and it must be stopped.
In response to this proposal, Republican lawmakers, including House members Andy Barr, Richard Hudson, and Elise Stefanik, have introduced legislation to preempt California’s attempt to single out and surveil law-abiding firearm and ammunition owners. This legislation is a critical step in protecting our Second Amendment rights and ensuring that the government does not overstep its bounds.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Firearm Industry Trade Association have also spoken out against this proposal. They have argued that the Biden administration has already proven that it cannot be trusted to respect the private firearm transactions of law-abiding citizens. The use of financial information to create an illegal government watchlist of gun owners is a clear violation of our rights and must be stopped.
In conclusion, the proposed use of the MCC to track gun store purchases is an unjustifiable infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. It is a dangerous and unacceptable attempt by the Biden administration to impose its anti-gun agenda on the American people. It is critical that we stand up and protect our rights and freedoms, and that we do not allow the government to overstep its bounds and infringe upon our constitutional rights.