Lawmakers Should Support “Commonsense” Gun Codes to Help Prevent Mass Shootings, Gun Trafficking

February 27, 2024

New bill from Reps. Stefanik, Hudson and Barr would continue unfair exception for gun industry in merchant category code

Washington, D.C. — In response to legislation introduced on Friday by Congresswoman Stefanik (R-NY), alongside Congressman Hudson (R-NC) and Congressman Barr (R-KY), that could prohibit the fair use of a merchant category code for gun stores, Guns Down America’s Executive Director Hudson Munoz released the following statement:

“The gun industry should not be exempt from the same rules and standards that apply practically everywhere else, from grocery stores to churches. A merchant category code for gun stores only has upsides for the financial industry, consumers and, most importantly, the safety and common good of the public. Banning it stands to benefit the gun industry exclusively.

“Congresswoman Stefanik’s legislation does nothing to foster legitimate debate about gun violence prevention. Luckily, there’s been progress elsewhere. This month, major credit card companies moved ahead to make the gun store code available in California, while Congressman Frost (D-FL) and Congressman Moskowitz (D-FL) introduced the Identify Gun Stores Act to ensure gun retailers are held to the same standards as any other merchant. These are the necessary actions that we need, not paranoid policymaking that fails to understand the facts or consider the voices of the American people. Everyone should be on board with this commonsense measure to detect and deter gun crimes and fraudulent activity, including mass shootings and gun trafficking."