Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act

This bill stops credit card networks and other covered companies from using special merchant category codes to single out gun shops. They could not require or assign a code that marks a firearms retailer differently from a general merchandise or sporting goods store.

The U.S. Attorney General would enforce the law. Within 90 days of it becoming law, the Attorney General must set up a way for people, including gun stores, to file complaints; each complaint must be investigated, and violators must get written notice and 30 days to fix the problem. If they do not fix it, the Attorney General can ask a federal court to stop the violation. People cannot sue on their own under this bill . Any state or local rules about using these codes for gun retailers would be overridden, and the Attorney General must report to Congress each year on investigations and how well the law is working. Merchant category codes are multi-digit codes used to classify businesses by what they sell.

• Who is affected: payment card networks, covered entities, and firearms retailers.
• What changes: no special credit card code allowed that singles out gun stores; federal enforcement by the Attorney General; no private lawsuits; state and local rules on these codes would no longer apply .
• When: complaint process must start within 90 days after the bill becomes law; violators get 30 days to fix issues after written notice; annual reports are required .