Yesterday, The Indiana House Financial Institutions Committee passed House Bill 1084, The Second Amendment Privacy Act. This legislation will prohibit the use of firearm-related Merchant Category Codes, which could be used to track gun owners and create a registry of lawful purchases. HB 1084 is now eligible for a floor vote in the House. Please contact your state Representative and tell them to support HB 1084.
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.
Additionally, the Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1235. This legislation will 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. This bill now goes to the Senate where it will receive a committee assignment.
NRA-ILA is actively working to pass this legislation and will keep you informed as it moves through the legislative process.
