Yesterday, March 21, the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee passed House Bill 221 to protect the privacy of Florida’s sportsmen and gun owners. HB 221 will now head to the House Commerce Committee, its final committee of reference, for consideration. We will inform you when the hearing date is announced. In the meantime, please use our take action button to email the committee urging them to SUPPORT HB 221.
HB 221 prohibits payment settlement entities, merchant acquiring entities, and third-party settlement organizations from assigning merchant category codes (MCC) or otherwise classifying merchants of firearms or ammunition separately from general merchandise or sporting goods retailers.
As previously reported, gun control extremists are using every possible avenue to disarm law-abiding sportsmen and gun owners, including how to uncover personal identifying information on who owns firearms in America. The newest tactic on this front is to track credit card purchases of firearms and ammunition.
Credit card companies have decided to delay the implementation of the new MCC because of the various credit card privacy bills being introduced across the nation. But sportsmen must continue the push to pass bills like HB 221 to ensure credit card companies never implement the new merchant category code.
Earlier today, the companion for HB 221, Senate Bill 214 passed the Senate 27 to 11. It will now head to the House for committee assignment. Continue to check your email for updates on this important legislation to protect your credit card privacy.
Also today, House Bill 1543, the bill to return Florida’s age to purchase or transfer a firearm back to 18 passed the House Judiciary Committee 16 to 6. HB 1543 will now head to the House floor for further consideration. Please use our take action button to email your state Representative asking them to return the rights to our law-abiding 18 to 20-year-olds to be able to purchase a firearm for hunting, recreational shooting or self-defense. Please use BOTH take action buttons to ensure your emails of support are received by both the House Commerce Committee and your state Representative.
Don’t forget to share this message with your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen asking them to take action today.