Merchant Codes Can Save Lives Act
Summary
The "Merchant Codes Can Save Lives Act" aims to prevent states from prohibiting or deterring the use of merchant category codes (MCCs) established by the International Organization for Standardization, specifically those identifying firearm and ammunition merchants. The bill amends Section 5313 of title 31, United States Code, to include a provision ensuring the usage of these MCCs. The Attorney General is granted the authority to enforce this provision through civil action.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would preempt state laws that restrict the use of MCCs for firearm-related businesses. This could lead to increased tracking of firearm and ammunition sales, potentially aiding law enforcement investigations. However, it could also raise concerns about privacy and potential discrimination against legal firearm businesses.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced tracking of firearm and ammunition sales, potentially assisting law enforcement in identifying suspicious activities.
- Standardization of transaction data across states, improving data analysis and crime prevention efforts.
- Prevention of potential discrimination against legal firearm businesses by ensuring consistent application of MCCs.
- Increased transparency in financial transactions related to firearms.
- Federal protection against state actions that could hinder the use of MCCs for legitimate purposes.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential privacy concerns related to the tracking of firearm and ammunition purchases.
- Possible chilling effect on legal firearm sales due to increased scrutiny.
- Concerns about federal overreach into state regulatory authority.
- Risk of misuse of transaction data for political or discriminatory purposes.
- Potential for increased costs for businesses to comply with tracking requirements.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which could justify federal intervention in financial transactions. However, the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, and some may argue that this bill infringes upon that right by potentially chilling legal firearm sales. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, raising questions about federal preemption of state laws.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).