Today, Governor Andy Beshear let HB 357, the Merchant Category Code ban legislation pass into law without his signature.
Your NRA would like to thank Representatives Derek Lewis (R, H-90), Michael Meredith (R, H-19), and Senator Jason Howell (S-01) for leading the charge for this bill’s passage. Additionally, we would like to express our gratitude for House Speaker Osborne, Senate President Stivers, and Senate Majority Floor Leader Thayer in ensuring the bill’s swift movement through both chambers. Of course, we also want to thank all legislators who voted in support of HB 357.
HB 357 prohibits the use of firearm/ammunition specific merchant category codes by payment processors. This is an important protection for gun owners, protecting private purchasing information from abuse by third parties. For more information click here.
Collecting firearm retailer financial transaction data amounts to surveillance and registration of law-abiding gun owners. Those promoting this scheme are in favor of firearm and gun owner registrations. Therefore, it should be assumed that the goal of this program is to share all collected firearm retailer MCC data with government authorities and potentially private third parties that may include gun control organizations and anti-gun researchers.
Thank you again to all NRA members and Second Amendment advocates who contacted legislators regarding HB 357. Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for updates regarding your Second Amendment rights.