Press Release
By Florida House of Representatives
05-02-23
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 2, 2023) — Today, the Florida House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 214, the companion measure to House Bill 221 by Representative John Snyder (R-Stuart). The legislation prohibits banks from tracking firearm and ammunition purchases and protects consumer privacy rights.
“Neither the government nor the banking system has any business tracking how Floridians spend their hard-earned money,” said Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast). “I applaud Representative Snyder for standing up for Second Amendment rights and the privacy rights of Floridians by protecting their very personal purchasing information from being tracked or exploited.”
Merchant Category Codes are used by credit card payment associations to categorize where a credit card purchase is made without showing the specific items that were purchased. “We are concerned that by creating a new Merchant Category Code for firearm and ammunition retailers, private entities are being allowed to gather information that could serve as a firearm registry,” said bill sponsor Representative John Snyder. “Senate Bill 214 protects the privacy rights of lawful purchasers of firearms and ammunition by prohibiting retailers from being classified under new Merchant Category Codes. I am proud to have collaborated with Senator Burgess on this necessary protection and appreciate the support of my House colleagues in protecting Florida consumers.”
For more information on Senate Bill 214, please visit www.myfloridahouse.gov.