Discover Financial Services, a provider of credit cards, told Reuters it will allow its network to track purchases at gun retailers come April, making it the first among its peers to move ahead with the initiative aimed at helping authorities probe gun-related crimes.
The decision came after the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which decides on the classification of merchant categories used by payment cards, approved in September the launch of a dedicated code for gun retailers.
Proponents of the move, including gun control activists and Democratic politicians, say it will allow financial institutions to better assist authorities in investigating crimes involving gun violence in the United States.
There has been uncertainty around the implementation, with Visa Inc, Mastercard Inc and American Express Co yet to disclose a timetable for adopting the change. Although the codes will not show specific items purchased, some Republican politicians have spoken out against the move, arguing it could violate the privacy of U.S. citizens lawfully buying guns.
Isn’t that nice? The ISO wants to know what you’re purchasing with your wealth. The ISO, an international organization – although I’m sure that U.S. banks were all too willing to comply and the ISO is just a straw man.
If you have a Discover Card, be aware that this change is coming and make appropriate arrangements.
At least Louisiana is fighting back in what I guess is the only way they can. Texas, I think, has similar laws now.