Pfluger Demands Answers From Credit Card Companies Infringing On 2A Rights

This week I joined Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and 100 Republicans in demanding answers from credit card companies Visa, American Express, and Mastercard over the implementation of a classification of gun sales, to ensure this is not used to track law-abiding gun owners or infringe on their Constitutional rights. The letter is support by the National Rifle Association and the Firearm Industry Trade Association.

The International Organization for Standards recently implemented a new code for credit card companies to specifically track firearm and ammunition sales. In an era of unprecedented government overreach, this could be another step toward stripping our Second Amendment Rights. I am proud to join Rep. Stefanik and my fellow Republicans in Congress demanding answers from the credit card companies and protecting the Constitutional right to bear arms.

In the letter, we point out that previous attempts to create firearm-specific codes have been denied, even on appeal, and warnings suggest a new code would unduly burden smaller firearm retailers. As credit card companies implement these codes, Stefanik requested answers to multiple questions, including whether Amex, MasterCard, and Visa support lawful purchases and protect the privacy and legal decisions of their consumers in regard to this implementation.

The ISO recently announced its unfortunate decision to create a firearm-specific code in apparent submission to the desires of liberal activists and politicians who seek to erode the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens. Amalgamated Bank stated its intent to utilize software to flag allegedly suspicious purchases made by Americans exercising their Second Amendment rights and file these red flags with law enforcement. This sentiment mirrors public statements from a myriad of liberal politicians who see this action as a first step towards further infringing on law-abiding United States citizens utilizing their Constitutional right to bear arms.

We also pointed out that Visa said that they believe that asking payment networks to serve as a moral authority by deciding which legal goods can or cannot be purchased sets a dangerous precedent.

This letter follows New York Attorney General Letita James stating that, “Credit card companies must now take the next step and flag suspiciously transactions on gun and ammunition sales” and NYC Mayor Eric Adams also making the case for credit card companies creating a weapon code for firearm purchases.

Read the full letter here.