On Tuesday, June 12, Assembly member Phil Ting, a proud advocate of gun control, “gutted and amended” his own apparently less important multifamily housing bill, Assembly Bill 1587, with language to require specified entities that facilitate or process a payment card transaction to track the purchases of law-abiding gun owners.
In September of 2022, the International Organizations for Standardization (ISO) approved the creation of a new merchant code for firearm retailers to use when their customers use a credit card to purchase firearms and ammunition. Big credit card companies like American Express, Mastercard, and Visa jumped on board to implement this new merchant code. BUT due to the overwhelming pushback from sportsmen and gun owners credit card companies have “paused” implementation. Credit card companies have always used merchant codes, but previous codes were general with firearm store sales listed as general merchandise or sporting goods. The new codes are specific to firearms and ammunition.
The previous version of AB1587 unanimously passed the Assembly and was referred to the Senate Housing Committee, where it was amended to its current anti-sportsmen version. AB 1587 will now be re-referred to a policy committee and we anticipate a hearing date to be scheduled soon. Please continue to check your emails as we will update you on what action must be taken as soon as the committee and a hearing date have been made available.
Please share this important message with your family and friends, as sportsmen throughout the Golden State must continue to stay actively involved to defend our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
