What's happening
This bill requires credit and debit card companies in New York to allow their cards to be used to purchase firearms and ammunition.
Why it matters
Ensures equal access to payment methods. By requiring card companies to permit purchases of firearms and ammunition, the bill prevents financial institutions from selectively restricting these transactions, regardless of their corporate policies or political stance.
Affects consumer choice and convenience. The measure allows New Yorkers to use familiar and widely accepted payment methods—credit and debit cards—when buying firearms or ammunition, potentially making such transactions easier and more accessible.
Limits private sector influence on gun sales. The bill restricts the ability of credit card issuers and payment processors to refuse service for lawful purchases, reducing the leverage that financial companies can use to shape firearms commerce through their own restrictions.
Potential legal and regulatory implications. Mandating card acceptance for specific goods could set a precedent for government intervention in private payment systems, possibly igniting debates about the balance between public policy goals and private company autonomy.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Card Purchases For Guns
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 62
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8189
IN SENATE
April 16, 2018
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the purchase of firearms and firearm ammunition with a credit card or debit card
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new article 29-bb to read as follows:
ARTICLE 29-BB
USAGE OF CREDIT CARDS TO PURCHASE CERTAIN GOODS Section 529. Definitions.
529-a. Purchasing of certain goods with a credit card or debit
card.
§ 529. Definitions. In this article, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:
1. "Credit card" means and includes any credit card, credit plate, charge plate, courtesy card, or other identification card or device issued by a person to another person which may be used to obtain a cash advance or a loan or credit or to purchase or lease property or services on the credit of the issuer or of the holder;
2. "Debit card" means a card, plate or other similar device issued by a person to another person which may be used, without a personal identification number, code or similar identification number, to purchase or lease property or services. The term does not include a credit card or a check, draft or similar instrument.
3. "Person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership or association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest or any other legal or commercial entity;
4. "Issuer" means a person who issues a credit card or a debit card;
5. "Holder" means a person to whom such a credit card or debit card is issued or who has agreed with the issuer to pay obligations arising from the use of a credit card or debit card issued to another person;
6. "Processor" means a person who facilitates the use of credit cards or debit cards between a holder and a seller;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15340-01-8
S. 8189 2
7. "Processor service" means the credit card or debit card facilitation service provided by the processor; and
8. "Seller" means any person who honors credit cards or debit cards which may be used to purchase property.
§ 529-a. Purchasing of certain goods with a credit card or debit card. Every issuer and processor who does business within the state shall allow for the use of their credit cards, debit cards, or processor service for the purpose of purchasing firearms or firearm ammunition.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the purchase of firearms and firearm ammunition with a credit card or debit card
Purpose
This legislation would clarify that the use of a credit or debit card to purchase firearms or ammunition is an allowable purchase.
Summary of provisions
Section creates clarifies that the purchase of firearms and firearm ammunition shall be allowable purchases for the use of a consumers cred- it or debit card. Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Recently the Comptroller of the State of New York has asked credit card companies to reclassify purchases of firearms as a high-risk transaction similar to how credit card companies flag the purchase of pornography or illicit drugs. The ownership of firearms is guaranteed by our 2nd Amend- ment and it is unconscionable to think that the major means for purchase of these items would be expressly prohibited from being allowed to occur. This legislation seeks to ensure that someone who seeks to legal- ly purchase a weapon can do so using his or her credit or debit card.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.