Hudson, Stefanik, Barr Introduce Legislation to Stop Unconstitutional Tracking of Lawful Gun Purchases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) joined Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) in introducing the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. This legislation would ban the use of a Merchant Category Code (MCC) to track transactions for firearms and ammunition sales.

“Gun grabbing liberals will stop at nothing to take away your Second Amendment rights," said Rep. Hudson. "Now, they are going to track purchases by law-abiding gun owners like you. This is unacceptable, dangerous, and a first step to gun confiscation. I am proud to join Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and Congressman Andy Barr in introducing legislation to protect you."

“The tracking of gun purchases is a violation and infringement on the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans which is why I am proud to introduce the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act to prohibit radical gun grabbing politicians from tracking lawful gun purchases,” said Rep. Stefanik. “I share the concern of law-abiding gun owners across our nation that have voiced their fear that such tactics will work to serve the radical Left’s anti-gun agenda. I will always stand up for our Second Amendment rights as Americans and provide a critical check to any entity attempting to encroach on our liberties.”

"The privacy of Americans' purchases, especially when it comes to firearms, is non-negotiable," said Rep. Barr. "I am proud to join Conference Chair Stefanik in standing against unnecessary and discriminatory surveillance. This bill would ensure the freedom and privacy of all Americans, guaranteeing that our Second Amendment rights are respected and protected."

“The Biden administration has already proven they cannot be trusted to respect the private firearm transactions of law-abiding citizens. Without a warrant, federal agencies collected financial information on private firearm and ammunition transactions to create an illegal government watchlist of gun owners. Representative Elise Stefanik’s legislation would rein in federal overreach to use the private financial transactions of law-abiding citizens against them for political means. 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. NSSF thanks Representative Stefanik for her principled leadership to stand up for Constitutionally-protected rights and against special interests and big government lawmakers whose goal it is to monitor and deny lawful transactions, by law-abiding Americans,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the Firearm Industry Trade Association.

“The Merchant Category Code for firearms retailers is nothing more than a scheme to surveil law-abiding gun owners, and the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act would protect private purchasing information from abuse by third parties,” said Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA-ILA. “On behalf of the NRA's millions of freedom-loving members, we applaud Rep. Stefanik for championing this legislation to protect the right to privacy for gun owners nationwide.”

“Singling out law-abiding gun and ammunition purchasers through the invasive and arbitrary monitoring of credit card transactions would ultimately erode the right to privacy and self-defense. The USCCA applauds Reps. Stefanik, Hudson and Barr for introducing this important legislation to protect law-abiding gun owners from discriminatory practices by financial institutions, ensuring their Second Amendment rights are shielded from corporate and government overreach,” said Tim Schmidt, President and Co-Founder of the US Concealed Carry Association.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) thanks Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Rep. Elise Stefanik for introducing the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “Sportsmen and women who lawfully purchase firearms and ammunition should not be treated any differently than someone who purchases hiking boots. This legislation will provide a common-sense solution to maintaining the privacy of sportsmen and women and protecting our hunting and recreational shooting traditions.”

Background:

Rep. Hudson continues to be on the front lines of this issue.

In September 2022, Rep. Hudson joined House Republicans in questioning the implementation of a new Merchant Category Code (MCC) created by the International Organization for Standardization.

Following Visa, Mastercard, and American Express's announcement to pause the implementation of a new code, Rep. Hudson has continued to advocate for law-abiding firearm and ammunition owners to prevent the regression of their privacy.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act would preempt California's newest attempt to single out and surveil law-abiding firearm and ammunition owners.

Read full bill text here.

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