Senator Johnson introduces bill protecting firearm owners from financial discrimination

State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) Wednesday announced the introduction of Senate Bill 148, protecting Ohio’s firearm owners and retailers from financial discrimination.

Last September, the International Organization for Standardization approved a new merchant code that would distinguish debit and credit card transactions involving firearms or firearm components from other transactions. Since the code’s approval, credit card companies have been pressured by anti-gun politicians and gun control activists to adopt these codes.

According to supporters of the code, it could be used to identify “suspicious purchases” of firearms and ammunition, block those purchases and even notify law enforcement and the FBI of the purchase.

“Once again, America’s liberal extremists seek to achieve their anti-Second Amendment goals by scrutinizing people who simply abide by the law," said Senator Johnson. "This is just another brazen, barefaced attempt to intrude, spy and intimidate through financial institutions backed by big brother and it is simply none of their business."

SB 148 would protect both firearm owners and retailers from being singled out by financial institutions such as credit card companies through the use of a separate merchant code. Additionally, it prohibits government entities from keeping a list or registry of firearms or firearm owners.

Passing this legislation would bring Ohio in line with seven other states, most recently Texas, that have passed similar bills to protect the financial privacy of gun owners and retailers.

Senator Johnson represents the 14th District in the Ohio Senate, which encompasses all of Adams, Brown, Clermont and Scioto counties. Learn more at www.OhioSenate.gov/Johnson.