California Law Making Credit Card Companies Track Firearms Sales Goes Into Effect July 1

A new California law requiring credit card companies to track firearms and ammunition sales went into effect July 1. The new law requires banks and credit card companies to implement a merchant category code for California businesses that have, or are expected to have, the highest sales volume of firearms, gun accessories, or ammunition in the state. Gun retailers have until May 2025 to integrate the codes into their sales systems. The codes will allow banks and credit card companies to flag suspicious purchases, according to the bill’s author Assemblyman Philip Ting. “Financial institutions can now be a part of our [gun-tracking] efforts since they are in a unique position to notice buying patterns that no one else can,” Mr. Ting said in a press release June 25. “When stockpiling of firearms and ammunition appears to take place, alerting authorities can be instrumental in helping California prevent tragedies and save lives.”...