Urgent Texas Alert: Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act Moves to Senate
Please Call Your State Senator Today!
The Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, HB 2837 sponsored by Rep. Matt Schaefer (R—Tyler), has passed the Texas state House of Representatives by a vote of 89-56 and passed the Senate State Affairs Committee Monday night by a vote of 8-3. This bill takes the steps necessary to ensure that financial institutions and credit card companies are prohibited from using a Merchant Category Code (MCC) to track and share customers’ private financial information when they purchase firearms, ammunition and related accessories at firearm retail stores. The bill protects gun owners
from political and financial retaliation for exercising their Second Amendment rights and the possibility of a “back-door” firearm ownership registry from being established.
HB 2837 accomplishes six key objectives:
- Prohibits the use of an MCC that distinguishes firearm retailers from general merchandise or sporting goods retailers (maintaining what has always been the status quo).
- Prohibits a financial institution from discriminating against a firearm retailer based solely on the assignment or non-assignment of a firearm code.
- Prohibits the disclosure of financial records unless required by law or regulation.
- Requires the attorney general to investigate alleged violations of the law and take legal action when violations are found.
- Imposes civil penalties of $10,000 for each violation.
- Establishes a private right of action for any person whose personal information is disclosed in violation of this Act.
Please contact your state senator today and request that he or she support HB 2837. You may find your senator by clicking here and entering your address. It will be the third result down - look for the name above “Texas Senate District ___.” |
