Overview

• Credit card companies American Express, Visa, and Mastercard plan to implement a new merchant code for gun retailers in California by May 2025, complying with a state law.
• The new code will allow banks to track purchases deemed suspicious at firearm and ammunition stores, but will not detail specific items bought.
• The move has faced opposition from Second Amendment advocates, who argue it could infringe on the rights of lawful gun owners.
• Several states have passed or are considering legislation to ban the use of the new merchant code, highlighting a national divide on the issue.
• Gun control advocates believe the code could help prevent mass shootings by identifying suspicious purchase patterns.