HR1181119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act

Sponsored By: Representative Moore (WV)

In Committee

Summary

Stops payment systems from assigning merchant codes that single out firearms sellers. This bill would prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring or assigning merchant category codes that identify a retailer as selling firearms, ammunition, accessories, or firearm components.

Show full summary
  • Firearms retailers: Businesses could not be assigned MCCs that are used only or primarily for firearms retailers, which limits one way transactions could be labeled.
  • Payment card networks and covered entities: Networks and processors would be barred from requiring merchants to use or from assigning MCCs that identify a business as a firearms retailer.
  • Federal enforcement and oversight: The Attorney General would set up a complaint process within 90 days after enactment, investigate complaints, demand remediation within 30 days, and may seek federal injunctions. The bill would preempt state and local rules on assigning or disclosing these MCCs while allowing narrow fraud and security compliance exceptions and require annual reports to Congress on investigations and effectiveness.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban on merchant codes for gun sellers

If enacted, the bill would bar payment processors and related firms from assigning merchant category codes that mark a store as a firearms seller. It would stop card networks from forcing a retailer to use codes used only or mainly for firearms sellers. The bill defines who counts as a firearms retailer and what a covered entity and merchant category code are. These definitions would apply as soon as the law takes effect.

Federal enforcement and preemption of merchant codes

If enacted, the Attorney General would enforce the law and must set up a complaint process within 90 days. Individuals, including firearms retailers, would be able to file complaints and the AG would investigate them. The AG could order fixes within 30 days and sue in federal court for an injunction if fixes do not happen. The bill would also preempt state and local laws that regulate assignment, use, or disclosure of merchant codes used only or mainly for firearms sellers, while still allowing compliance with laws on fraud, disputes, data breaches, or transaction integrity.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Moore (WV)

WV • R

Cosponsors

  • Barr

    KY • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Hudson

    NC • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Bean (FL)

    FL • R

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  • Cline

    VA • R

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  • Perry

    PA • R

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  • Van Duyne

    TX • R

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  • Guthrie

    KY • R

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  • Collins

    GA • R

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  • Finstad

    MN • R

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  • Moore (AL)

    AL • R

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  • Webster (FL)

    FL • R

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  • Guest

    MS • R

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  • Rulli

    OH • R

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  • Williams (TX)

    TX • R

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  • Higgins (LA)

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  • Bost

    IL • R

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  • Tenney

    NY • R

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  • Schmidt

    KS • R

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  • Moore (NC)

    NC • R

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  • Newhouse

    WA • R

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  • Comer

    KY • R

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  • Womack

    AR • R

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  • Rose

    TN • R

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  • Gill (TX)

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    MI • R

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  • Arrington

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  • Kennedy (UT)

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  • Wilson (SC)

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    NC • R

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  • Weber (TX)

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    IA • R

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  • Walberg

    MI • R

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  • LaMalfa

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  • Rouzer

    NC • R

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  • Harris (MD)

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  • Wagner

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  • Bilirakis

    FL • R

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  • Stauber

    MN • R

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  • Franklin, Scott

    FL • R

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  • Mann

    KS • R

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  • Edwards

    NC • R

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  • Moore (UT)

    UT • R

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  • Letlow

    LA • R

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  • Estes

    KS • R

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  • Gosar

    AZ • R

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  • Strong

    AL • R

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  • Shreve

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    IA • R

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  • Smith (NE)

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    TN • R

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    TX • R

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  • Ellzey

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  • Fitzgerald

    WI • R

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  • Aderholt

    AL • R

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  • Hern (OK)

    OK • R

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  • Pfluger

    TX • R

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  • Zinke

    MT • R

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    TX • R

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  • Ezell

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  • Miller (OH)

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    VA • R

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  • Loudermilk

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    WA • R

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    TX • R

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    MT • R

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  • Jackson (TX)

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    TX • R

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    OH • R

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  • Owens

    UT • R

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  • Joyce (OH)

    OH • R

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Roll Call Votes

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