More On Operation Choke Point
BY Herschel Smith
10 years, 2 months ago
A Oregon-based gun maker said Thursday that it has been blocked from processing credit card transactions by its long-standing credit card company, and believes it is the latest victim of the Obama administration’s “Operation Choke Point.”
The Obama administration has said Choke Point lets the Departments of Justice and Treasury crack down on illegal businesses by blocking their access to banks and other parts of the U.S. financial system.
Calico Light Weapons Systems believes it is the latest victim of the administration’s overreach. In a statement released Thursday, Chris Holmgren, the company’s owner, says he was unexpectedly warned in mid-July that his credit card processor would have to close his account due to “illegal activities.”
Firearms producers are prohibited by law from selling guns over the Internet. But Holmgren says his company does not sell guns online, and only sells certain parts.
“The [credit card] company thought that I sold firearms over the Internet, which I do not,” he said. “My company only sells parts online, like screws, washers, and other soft goods.”
After several phone calls to his credit card processor, Intuit Merchant Service, Holmgren was told a “policy change” related to “illegal activities” is what was forcing Intuit to close Calico’s account.
Holmgren said that his company later indicated it would re-open his account, but said this has not happened yet.
“I am certain that this is the work of Operation Choke Point, and that my company was targeted because it is considered a ‘high risk’ by the Department of Justice and FDIC, even though we do nothing illegal,” he said.
First of all, to all of the idiots who think it’s illegal to sell guns online, let’s deal with this once and for all. It’s not illegal to sell guns online. Got it? Guns can be purchased and sent to anyone who can successfully complete form 4473, done at the time of receipt at the FFL to whom the gun is shipped. So let’s stomp that red herring into the ground please.
Second, let’s please end the unconstitutional thuggery of targeting law abiding businessmen with the power of the government because those currently in power happen to dislike the business.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think that Obama and Holder were a bunch of evil, totalitarian, collectivist, communist members of a criminal cartel from Chicago.
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On September 5, 2014 at 9:43 am, Paul B said:
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think that Obama and Holder were a bunch of
evil, totalitarian, collectivist, communist members of a criminal
cartel from Chicago.”
Bout spit my coffee out on that one.
That’s just racist right there. Never mind the architect, Daley, was white.
On September 5, 2014 at 12:31 pm, Blake said:
Minor quibble, and this is not original with me, however, I no longer consider myself to be a law-abiding person. Rather, I am a peaceful person.
With the rule of law being effectively dead in this country, law-abiding has, for all practical purposes, ceased to exist.
On September 5, 2014 at 6:57 pm, Archer said:
Turnabout being fair play, how about the new Administration implement “Operation D-fund”, wherein any member of any level of government with a “D” after his/her name — or anyone appointed/confirmed by the same — loses all access to credit, debit, and electronic payment services. They are “high risk”, after all.
I mean, as politicians and regulators, if they have the power to control the terms by which banks and electronic payment processing companies do business, doesn’t that make it a conflict of interest to utilize those services?
(Yes, this is offered tongue-in-cheek, for those who have no sense of humor.)
On September 7, 2014 at 6:33 pm, Pat Hines said:
I’ve purchased nearly a dozen firearms via the internet, average cost for shipping is $25.00, my local FFL charges $20.00 to handle them. I don’t even have to wait on a NICS check, because I have a CWP.