Gun Rights Advocate Says House-Passed Firearm Privacy Bill Unlikely to Become Law

The U.S. House has passed H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, drawing praise from Guns Save Life executive director John Boch. The bill would bar payment card networks and financial institutions from assigning special merchant category codes to firearms retailers. Instead, gun shops would be classified like general merchandise or sporting goods stores. Supporters say the measure protects lawful buyers from financial tracking tied to Second Amendment activity. The bill also orders the U.S. attorney general to investigate alleged violations and sets penalties for noncompliance. Boch welcomed the House vote, but says the proposal faces long odds in the Senate.