This week, two Indiana House committees will consider separate pro-gun legislation.
On Thursday, January 18th, the House Financial Institutions Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 1084, The Second Amendment Privacy Act, a bill to prohibit the use of firearm-related Merchant Category Codes.
In September 2022, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approved a Merchant Category Code (MCC) for firearm retailers. Since the ISO’s decision, NRA-ILA has worked to alert financial industry stakeholders to gun owners’ concerns, and urged state lawmakers and attorneys general to address this matter. To date, several states and their attorneys general have taken important steps to protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights and privacy. In the first half of 2023, several states enacted legislation prohibiting or discouraging use of the firearm retailer MCC.
HB 1084 will protect gun owner data relating to payment card transactions involving firearms and ammunition retailers.
Another hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 17th. The House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 1235, to make Indiana law consistent with other states by prohibiting local governments from lodging frivolous lawsuits against firearm manufacturers.
For years cities like Gary, Indiana have sued firearm manufacturers for the unlawful misuse of their products by criminals. In response, more than 35 states and Congress have passed laws to protect the firearm industry from these politically driven lawsuits.
HB 1235 will give firearm manufacturers in Indiana these same protections by prohibiting local governments from lodging frivolous lawsuits against firearm manufacturers.
Please contact committee members and ask them to SUPPORT House Bills 1084 and 1235.
