Bill to prohibit tracking gun sales clears final House committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – A final House committee approved legislation to penalize credit card companies for tracking gun and ammunition sales.

Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, sponsored the legislation that would prohibit the use of a merchant category code specifically for firearms and ammunition.

The bill comes as the International Organization for Standardization previously declared it would develop a new merchant category code with the express purpose of distinguishing the sale of firearms and ammunition. 

The bill allows the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to fine companies up to $10,000 for utilizing the new code, guns and ammunition. 

Snyder was asked whether the changes would impact investigations into a crime.

“This bill has no bearing on law enforcement’s ability to subpoena records or carry out an investigation,” Snyder said.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson eagerly supported the legislation and said using these merchant codes is a “backdoor way of trying to intimidate gun owners.”

Several Democrats in committee voted against the legislation.

The Florida Senate approved similar legislation in March. The bill’s sponsor was Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills.