Posted on 09/10/2022 8:08:38 AM PDT by grundle
Decision comes a week after New York and California asked American Express, Mastercard and Visa to support a merchant category code.
The international organization responsible for creating merchant category codes for credit card purchases has given its approval to establish one for transactions made at gun stores.
The International Organization for Standardization’s Registration and Maintenance Management Group met on Wednesday to discuss a request made by Amalgamated Bank to set up such a code.
An ISO spokesperson told The Center Square that RMMG members could not decide whether to approve the application. That elevated the discussion to the ISO leadership that oversees standards for retail financial services.
“Considering the application met all the criteria from ISO 18245 and no material arguments pertaining to the approval criteria outlined in the ISO 18245 standard to reject the code were made, SC9 leadership has approved this MCC application in order to comply with the standard,” the ISO said in a statement provided by Maria Lazarte, the organization’s team leader for media and engagement.
That decision came less than a week after New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent a letter to chief executives at American Express, Mastercard and Visa, urging them to support a merchant category code. They called for the code, noting that other industry-specific retailers have their own codes. The attorneys general also said it could help identify suspicious activity that could prevent a mass shooting or stop gun trafficking.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, on Wednesday morning, also tweeted in support of an MCC.
“Together we can help stop gun trafficking & keep New Yorkers safe,” she posted.
Opponents of the measure included the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
In a statement to The Center Square, Mark Oliva, the organization’s managing director for public affairs, slammed the move, saying the creation of the code was “flawed on its premise. Those who believe it will help law enforcement do not provide details on what should be considered suspicious purchases."
“This decision chills the free exercise of Constitutionally-protected rights and does nothing to assist law enforcement with crime prevention or holding criminals accountable,” he said. “The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics consistently shows in their own reporting that 90% of felons convicted of their crimes involving a firearm admit they illegally obtain those guns through theft or trading on the black market. Attaching codes specific to firearm and ammunition purchases casts a dark pall by gun control advocates who are only interested in disarming lawful gun owners.”
Oliva added supporters of the MCC actually hope to stop purchases of guns and ammunition through credit cards.
“Credit card companies have previously publicly resisted this because they understand it is not in their interest to monitor lawful private purchases,” he added.
It’s uncertain at this time when the MCC would take effect.
American Express, through a statement provided by Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications Andrew Johnson, said that it will follow the standard business practices, as it does anytime the ISO develops a new MCC.
“It is important to note that MCC codes are one of many data points that help us understand the industries in which our merchants operate,” the statement read. “We are focused on ensuring that we have the right controls in place to meet our regulatory and fiduciary responsibilities, as well as prevent illegal activity on our network.”
Messages to James, Hochul, Mastercard, Visa and Amalgamated Bank were not immediately returned.
But but but but that’s racist! How can minority members secure credit or debit cards when they can’t get IDeeeeeeeeees?
If, one single time one of my credit cards in any way discriminates against my purchase of guns or ammo, I will immediately cancel the account - and I will let them know why I’ve cancelled the account.
My deceased brother was fond of guns.
Where they are now I do not know.
In CT you have to show one of four or five state issued gun permits but there is no record kept. CT issues an ammo permit, a long gun permit, a hand gun purchase permit and a hand gun carry permit. The last one trumps all the others. It’s classic idiocy.
Probably 20% of the Americans who filled out a 4473 are now dead.
That permits buyer screening but if done properly should prevent tracking.
Guys, they know who you are. You are already on the shit list.
While the left sometimes takes big steps in implementing their plan to subjugate us, many of the things they do are done in little baby steps. Don't think that eliminating cash and going digital currency isn't on their to-do list.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
The gun is truly for me Mr. Dealer, but my aunt with terminal cancer will be paying.
Another effort to pry into the privacy of law abiding Americans. While stop and frisk is off limits in most cities where there’s a Stolen gun in every thug waistband. This will also kill online ordering of guns and ammo where good prices and some supplies are still available. Next liberal Democrat states will impose large taxes on gun sales and gun dealers.
The dealer would stop the purchase transaction at that point because it would be considered a straw purchase. People do some heavy time for straw purchases, if they're normally law-abiding citizens. Criminals would have the charges dropped, even if they somehow passed the background check.
Here’s how it would work. Every online card transaction - both debit and credit - that passes through one of the major networks (MasterCard, Visa, etc) include the Merchant Category Code (MCC). This is a four digit number. Some businesses, like airlines, have their own (American Airlines is 3001, Air New Zealand is 3025). Others are grouped into broader categories. “Passenger Railways” is 4112. There are even silly ones, like 5998 for Tent and Awning shops.
The various networks get together and coordinate these through the ISO standards committee. Twice a year the networks release what the new MCC codes are and when they will start requiring them. The date they are required is usually mid-April and mid-October. Pretty much everybody on the same day.
Then as a transaction routes through the various card networks there are opportunities to deny a transaction based on the MCC. Each step of the way, including the individual bank.
For example, online gambling is a common fraud area. And some states have banned this at one time or another. So the processing networks or the banks would block transactions from the various gambling MCC codes, like 7995.
And that is how this would work. The government would encourage the networks to introduce a new MCC specific to firearms. Today they fit under 5099 - durable goods or 5999 - Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Shops. After the change they would have their own, and then the networks could decide to block transactions with the MCC using fraud-type rules.
There are even provisions in the requirements to have to split a purchase into separate transactions. You might buy ammo at Walmart and they would be required to process the ammo as a separate transaction to assign the unique MCC code.
And how do they enforce this? There are all kinds of rules and fines and such to merchants that don’t follow the rules. Visa or MasterCard may decide not to allow that merchant to use their network anymore.
Always buy ammo with cash.
Am I to understand that “Bud’s Gun Store” wasn’t specific enough?
If you come to this site you are on The List.
The Road,
Mad Max,
Solvent Green——
Meet IDIOCRACY.
I bought many guns from the gun auction sites. I always paid with anonymous money orders.
I sold guns and ammo in CT for five years. Firearm purchases are obviously recorded by the form 4473 but ammo purchases merely required that the seller confirm that the customer has an adequate and valid permit. No record is kept.
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