Financial services giant, Discover, is set to implement a groundbreaking feature starting this April, allowing its customers to easily track their purchases made at gun retailers. As reported exclusively by Reuters, this new initiative is expected to revolutionize the way gun owners can manage their spending and stay on top of their finances.
First, Discover tracks your gun purchases. Then, Democrats take your guns. https://t.co/vQI3VjIVQz
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) March 3, 2023
Despite this exciting development, some have raised concerns about the implications of such data collection. Congressman Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, took to social media to express his apprehensions. In a tweet posted on Friday, he warned that allowing Discover to monitor gun purchases could be a slippery slope towards potential gun control measures by the government.
While opinions may be divided, one thing is clear: Discover’s new feature will undoubtedly be a game changer for gun owners everywhere.
Discover Card will begin tracking firearm purchases starting next month.
There are more than 50 million Discover cards in use right now.
They are coming for your guns little by little.
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) March 2, 2023
These concerns have also been echoed by Representative Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, who took to social media earlier this week to voice his skepticism about Discover’s new feature. “Little by little, they are coming for your guns,” he warned in a tweet, highlighting the potential threat that data tracking poses to the second amendment rights of American citizens.
It remains to be seen how Discover will address these concerns and ensure the privacy and security of its customers’ data. Nonetheless, the company’s move towards greater transparency and accessibility in tracking gun purchases is a significant step forward in empowering gun owners to stay informed about their finances and exercise greater control over their spending.
Beginning in April, Discover will begin to track gun purchases made with their cards.
This is a MASSIVE problem Congress needs to address, IMMEDIATELY!
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) March 2, 2023
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, has taken a strong stance on the issue, urging her colleagues to address it with urgency. In a tweet posted on Thursday, Boebert emphasized the gravity of the situation by using all-caps for the words “massive” and “immediately”. She highlighted the importance of taking swift action to tackle this matter head-on and ensure that the rights of gun owners are not compromised in any way.
Boebert’s passionate call to action underscores the growing concern among some lawmakers and citizens regarding the potential implications of data tracking on gun ownership. As the debate continues to unfold, it is clear that this is a complex and nuanced issue that demands careful consideration and a balanced approach from all sides.
Larry Keane, writing for the National Shooting Sports Foundation – a trade association representing the firearm industry – has condemned the tracking of lawful gun purchases as a ruse disguised as an effort to curb criminal activity. In his opinion, this type of data tracking is a thinly veiled attempt to undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
However, Keane assures readers that there is hope for those who support the Second Amendment. Lawmakers at both state and federal levels have recognized the potential dangers of such tracking and are working on legislation to block it.
Lavern Spicer – a former congressional candidate from Florida – has urged individuals to take action by closing their accounts
Meanwhile, Lavern Spicer – a former congressional candidate from Florida – has urged individuals to take action by closing their accounts. Her advice highlights the sense of urgency and concern felt by many who view data tracking as a serious infringement on their right to bear arms. As the debate rages on, it is clear that this issue is far from settled and will likely continue to be a hotly contested topic in the months and years to come.
Discover’s decision to allow tracking of gun purchases is a bold move, and one that sets it apart from other financial institutions. According to Reuters, Discover is the first among its corporate peers to provide a concrete timeline for the implementation of this controversial tracking initiative. This has sparked widespread debate and raised concerns among gun owners and advocates of the Second Amendment.
The development comes on the heels of an announcement by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approving a code specific to gun retailers. This code, known as “5723 – Gun and ammunition shops,” will allow for the classification of merchant categories used by payment cards. However, as reported by Reuters, the code will not reveal specific purchase details. Despite this, the move has sparked fears that such tracking could pave the way for more intrusive measures in the future.
On January 13 the ATF signed a rule that weapons that are considered “short-barreled rifles” need to be registered if they have a stabilizing brace. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
As the debate over gun control and data privacy continues to heat up, it is clear that there are no easy answers to this complex issue. While some see tracking as a valuable tool in the fight against gun violence, others view it as a slippery slope towards government overreach and potential violations of individual freedoms. As the landscape continues to shift and new developments emerge, it remains to be seen how this issue will ultimately be resolved.
In a statement provided to Reuters, Discover sought to reassure customers that it remains committed to safeguarding lawful purchases and protecting the privacy of its cardholders. This statement underscores the delicate balance that financial institutions must strike as they navigate the complex intersection of gun control and data privacy.
For some Democratic politicians and anti-gun activists, Discover’s decision to track gun purchases is a positive step forward. They believe that such tracking will help financial institutions better assist authorities in investigating crimes related to gun violence in the United States. However, opponents of the measure argue that the move is unlikely to have a significant impact on gun violence since criminals often acquire their weapons through the black market, where credit cards are not used.
Moreover, critics contend that the move represents a serious threat to the privacy of cardholders. While the current merchant code does not allow for tracking of individual gun purchases, some fear that this could change in the future. As Stephen Gutowski, founder of The Reload, pointed out in an interview with TheBlaze, the concerns of gun owners are not unfounded, and the potential for abuse should not be dismissed lightly.
As the debate over gun control and data privacy continues to unfold, it is clear that there are valid arguments on both sides. While the intentions behind tracking gun purchases may be noble, the potential consequences and unintended consequences must be carefully considered. Ultimately, finding a balanced and effective solution will require input and cooperation from all stakeholders involved.
According to Stephen Gutowski, founder of The Reload, the push to create a specific code for gun retailers stems from gun-control activists who hope to track and prevent gun purchases that they deem suspicious. While Discover, Visa, and Mastercard can only see that a purchase was made at a store that sells guns, Gutowski warns that this could change in the future, potentially giving financial institutions access to more detailed information about individual gun purchases.
But tracking purchases at firearms shops is just the beginning of the scheme, according to Larry Keane, writing for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Keane points to a broader goal revealed by Amalgamated Bank CEO Priscilla Sims Brown to New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin. This goal involves using “detection scenarios” that could prompt banks to file a Suspicious Activity Report to the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. In theory, this could lead to the filing of reports for lawfully purchasing firearms, safety equipment, gear, or other items at a retailer identified with the 5723 code.
These developments raise serious concerns about privacy and the potential for overreach by financial institutions in their efforts to combat gun violence. As Gutowski and Keane suggest, the current measures may be just the tip of the iceberg, with more intrusive tracking and reporting requirements on the horizon. It remains to be seen how lawmakers, financial institutions, and the public will respond to these developments and whether a balance can be struck between the need for safety and the protection of individual privacy and rights.
