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Credit card companies and other financial institutions that process payments would be barred from assigning a specific classification code to firearms and ammunition purchases under a bill discussed in the House ahead of a final vote.
Democrats on Monday questioned whether the measure (SB 214), a top priority for Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, would pose hurdles for police in probing purchases of guns later used in crimes.
“Doesn’t this prevent law enforcement, then, from being able to understand where … a crime was committed?” asked Rep. Kelly Skidmore, a Boca Raton Democrat. “Don’t they often need to track that in order to solve crimes that involved weapons and ammunition?”
Bill sponsor Rep. John Snyder, a Stuart Republican, said it wouldn’t hamper investigations.
“Nothing in this bill would block law enforcement’s ability to subpoena records and conduct an investigation,” Snyder said.
The bill passed the Senate last month on a 27-11 vote, with Sen. Darryl Rouson of Tampa the only Democrat joining Republicans in support. A final vote in the House is expected Tuesday.
Simpson identified the measure as a top priority in January, saying he was spurred to push for it after liberal activists called on some companies to adopt codes identifying gun purchases.
“For the first time in history, credit card companies are being told that they have to assign a code to gun sales and ammo sales at gun stores,” Simpson said at a Brevard County gun shop in January. “They aren’t even hiding their purpose. They want to try and control and intimidate — and I believe — ultimately take away the right for law-abiding citizens to bear arms.”
Simpson’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services handles concealed carry permit applications, which are still being processed despite the passage of HB 543, which eliminated the requirement to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Florida. DeSantis signed the legislation on Apr. 3, but it still allows the option to seek a permit.
4 comments
Beth
May 1, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Wow DeSantis and the greedy corrupt gop legislators will do anything in their power to put a gun in the hands of every wack job in FL and to prevent law enforcement from investigating crimes involving guns. I hope those nra contributions make up for all the deaths of children for which these monsters are responsible. They deserve a lifetime of misery for what they are doing to the state.
Bert Stimson
May 1, 2023 at 11:30 pm
“Small government”
“Anti-regulation”
Today’s GOP is pure hypocrisy and Orwellian lies.
Rich7553
May 2, 2023 at 1:39 pm
“For the first time in history, credit card companies are being told that they have to assign a code to gun sales and ammo sales at gun stores..”.
Who told the credit card companies to assign a code in the first place? Not the GOP. They are simply stopping government regulation. Orwell was speaking about deceitful Democrats.
WGD
May 1, 2023 at 11:42 pm
Republicans are more concerned with the rights of gun owners than they are with the rights of victims. This is no longer debatable.
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