Source.

Amalgamated Bank CEO Priscilla Sims Brown says the reasons major credit card companies have given for not supporting the tracking of gun purchases don’t hold up.

Merchant category codes (MCC) are used for all kinds of purchases by card companies, but not firearms.

Whether you’re getting your car repaired, or buying dinner, nearly every business that takes a credit card has a unique merchant code that reports your purchase — except when you buy a firearm.

A merchant category code, typically referred to as MCC, is a four-digit number used by credit card companies to classify different types of businesses and identify the types of goods or services that a company sells. They were first mandated by the Internal Revenue Service in 2004, and currently, the MCC guidelines are maintained by the International Organization for Standardization.

If you have ever been called by your bank, asking you to confirm prior purchases that were detected as potentially fraudulent, that was by way of an MCC. Credit card companies use MCC intelligence and data to find aberrations or patterns in consumer purchases to prevent things ranging from fraud to human trafficking.

Priscilla Sims Brown, president & CEO of Amalgamated Bank, told CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Evolve Global Summit on Wednesday that the banking and financial industry can, and should, use these codes to track gun purchases in order to help prevent acts of gun violence.

“While there are merchant codes for the hair salon and the shoe shine place and every other retailer, there’s no merchant code for gun stores,” said Brown. “If we did have a merchant code for gun stores, we could detect patterns that would indicate that there had been something unusual going on.”

Credit card companies could detect any unusual activity, and submit a suspicious activity report with law enforcement, if needed.

Okay mommy hen.  We know you want to be controller of the whole world.  All CEOs of big corporations do.  Your job is just a chance to run the lives of other people because you know best.

But you see, I see things a little differently.  I see your desire to control others as sinful.

Note: Tagged Gospel Witness with the other posts in this series.

There is a funny story about soul winning. A man asks, how can I be saved and one replies just hold on; God loves you. And another man replies, just let go; God loves you. Then somebody comes and opens their Bible showing the man how to have eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Recently, there was the blessed opportunity to share the Gospel with a lost sinner. They ultimately balked at the idea of serving Holy God. When asked, they flat out said no.

We almost always share 1 John 5:11-13 while discussing the nature of the record (testimony) being set forth. 1 John 5 includes what we know we have, a new life now in Christ and life eternal with the Father.

“11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” – 1 John 5:11-13

You can know that you have eternal life. Many, sadly, confess to a day when they will stand before Christ and find out; the Holy Bible says you can know now, today!

It’s important to note that when sharing the Gospel, the lost sinner is making their covenant with Christ. It’s also important to note that when sharing the Gospel with a lost sinner, we use evangelistic language and substance, allowing the Holy Spirit of God to bring them under conviction for sin and the realization of the need for salvation from death and hell. Telling lost sinners to stop sinning is mostly a waste of time; they need salvation first.

If you have been blessed to lead souls to Christ but did not discuss the things in this post with them, please don’t think you did something wrong. God saves who He will by the manner He chooses, and no two salvation testimonies are the same. Each salvation is personal, from Nicodemus, to the woman at the well, to the Ethiopian Eunuch. There is no formula for salvation; God leaves the perfect intact truth of His covenant with them in the new convert’s heart as the Holy Spirit begins to grow them. But consider discussing the service of God and the authenticity of what you’re sharing from the Bible.

Depending upon how the discussion goes, we share 1 John 5:11-13 very near the end of the conversation if the lost sinner makes it that far. As John does, we can discuss the record of what we have, why, and how we know. By the time we share these verses, the lost have agreed that they are a lost sinner, that God is the judge of their sin, and that they are headed to death and hell being condemned already. They have agreed that Jesus has authority and power over their eternal destination. They have also stated agreement that Jesus died for their sin and rose again on the third day as the satisfaction of their sin debt and proof of the power of Christ to offer new life now and life eternal.

I don’t preach Lordship salvation when I share the Gospel with a lost sinner. But, we always, in one manner or another, as part of sharing these verses with the lost sinner, tell them that God will begin to change them, giving them new desires from the heart outward, that they will begin to be remade into the likeness of Christ, or a son of God. Part of this change that happens after salvation is that we serve Christ in the Kingdom of God. We can state it just like that, or perhaps as, become a son of God to follow the will of Holy Father God or work in the Kingdom of God keeping all that Christ commands. Some variation of this is essential to share, asking the lost sinner, will you serve Christ? Too many Christians have been saved, they claim, but for what they do not know. Service is what Disciples of Christ do.

You can share 1 John 5:11-13 how you feel led, keeping within the truth while evangelizing Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, sure foundation, and way to the Father in heaven. We review the record that we, the lost and the witness, have made, explaining that what we are doing is making a record before Holy God of all that the lost sinner has confessed about himself as a sinner and the futility of works. And also that the lost sinner has agreed upon the only solution, the power and authority of God by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection to save their eternal soul.

If somebody is under conviction of the Holy Spirit, they will not hesitate or reject serving God. Their definition of service, being a lost sinner, especially if raised in religion, may be faulty. It’s essential to tell them that we are not talking about religion (though we are, but not as the world perceives and sadly not as most denominations and cults express) and that we’re not talking about a Church or, again, what they may perceive to be the true church of Jesus Christ. Salvation is personal; it’s a relationship with God, through Christ, the Holy Spirit in us. If they are genuinely saved, they will have true religion and be among the body of Christ. This part of the conversation may vary if the person is a regular Church attendee.

So we review the record of all that’s been discussed, clearly stating that salvation means a change of heart and therefore mind, entering into a life of service to bring glory to the Father through Christ.

We usually share this other verse, that’s in Romans, early in the conversation. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23. Sin brings death, which is what God owes the sinner (wages) for their works of transgressing God’s Law but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, it’s a gift; He’s a wonderful and marvelous Saviour, but Jesus is also Lord, King, and Master of His inheritance, which are the converted sinners one and all, His body, the church. If the lost sinner is under conviction, they will testify about their desire to belong to God, working in the Kingdom, as you discuss these verses.

During your talk, if you have not discussed the authenticity of the Bible while sharing the Gospel, these verses in 1 John 5 (or Romans 10:17, faith by the word of God) are a perfect opportunity to do so. After all, John says, this is the record. The Bible and the passages you share are the basis upon which the lost sinner and Holy God are forming their covenant; if the lost sinner doesn’t believe the Bible, they are not being saved at that time, regardless of what else they may say or desire. If the Holy Spirit is upon them, they will confess that Jesus is real, that the Bible is true, the written record is authentic, and that they want to belong to Him in service.

Remember, we’re having a narrow-scope evangelistic conversation with a lost sinner. However, souls get saved over a Psalm (song) or apocalyptic passages such as Genesis 3 and Revelation 20-21, some of which may include symbolism. The Holy Spirit often uses the fall in the Garden and the resurrection of the damned unto the lake of fire to bring fear of God, a conviction for sin, and the need for the one true Saviour, Jesus Christ. But we also count those passages nonetheless to be the record of sin and eternal damnation that God has given us to bring a desire of life and life everlasting through the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.

The poor fellow who decided against Christ seemed disconcerted and even offended by the conversation and me. He wanted his life cleaned up and straightened out without the pesky bother of a Lord. When they balk, we pray for them, for God to send another messenger, and for the seed to take hold in their conscience that Christ would draw them and call them into His love. It’s important to remember; that we are only the messenger; soul winning is not friend winning. We tell them the truth; their problem is with God if they don’t like it.

You will not win them all, but it’s far and away the better thing to be thorough in showing them the love of God and then let them go away than to make buildings full of lost sinners, some deceived, some falsely converted by easy believism. The object is not ours; the crowns are Christ’s cast at His feet upon the mount of His throne, for the Father is the one that works all in all. God, save that young man’s soul.

I think this is useful because to be frank, oftentimes we aren’t carrying full size pistols, depending upon the circumstances (for instance, in non-permissive environments).  So I suspect there are more than a few readers who carry “pocket pistols” from time to time.

I prefer wheel guns over pistols for pocket carry for a whole bunch of reasons I won’t outline.  It looks to me like the 38 special performed significantly better than the 9mm.

First look at Recoil.

The larger model (the only one that would interest me) torches at 1000 lumens.  I’ve never used a laser before.

I can see the use in a laser, but a real need to zero it with the optic at the range, as well as the need to limit the use in a gun fight (for fear of flagging your position).

The price is a bit cheaper than the equivalent SureFire models (lumens, that is).

What do readers think?

Via Clayton Cramer.

Here is the letter from the Hawaii AG sent to CLEOs.

I’m not so sure.  They may be tired of fighting it.  I had inquired of friend of TCJ Dave Hardy on the status of Young v. Hawaii right after Bruen came out, and he thought it would be granted, vacated and remanded.  He was right.

Then friend of TCJ Stephen Stamboulieh told me on June 30th that he was working on a filing to the Ninth Circuit on Young.  We’ll see what happens.

Then again, the legislature may be working hard behind the scenes to figure out how to follow New York and make applicants sit through days of classes and qualify for a week at the range.

This is something most carriers should be able to do, since most handgun carriers I know are better with their weapons than cops.  But still, this should not have to be done.

From a Reddit/Firearms post.

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” – Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Constitution, Draft 1, 1776

“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” – Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788

“As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms.” – Tench Coxe, Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789

“What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, December 20, 1787

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.” – Patrick Henry, Speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778

“The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes…. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” – Thomas Jefferson, Commonplace Book (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria), 1774-1776

“A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 19, 1785.

“The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824

“I enclose you a list of the killed, wounded, and captives of the enemy from the commencement of hostilities at Lexington in April, 1775, until November, 1777, since which there has been no event of any consequence … I think that upon the whole it has been about one half the number lost by them, in some instances more, but in others less. This difference is ascribed to our superiority in taking aim when we fire; every soldier in our army having been intimate with his gun from his infancy.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to Giovanni Fabbroni, June 8, 1778

“To disarm the people…is the most effectual way to enslave them.” – George Mason, referencing advice given to the British Parliament by Pennsylvania governor Sir William Keith, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adooption of the Federal Constitution, June 14, 1788

“I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.” – George Mason, Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 4, 1788

“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops.” – Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, October 10, 1787.

“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves…and include, according to the past and general usuage of the states, all men capable of bearing arms…  “To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” – Richard Henry Lee, Federal Farmer No. 18, January 25, 1788

“This may be considered as the true palladium of liberty…. The right of self defense is the first law of nature: in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Wherever standing armies are kept up, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction.” – St. George Tucker, Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England, 1803.

History is on our side.  More important, God is on our side, which means the truth is on our side.

News from Atlanta.

It looks to me like he was in retreat to cover and didn’t aim well or land any shots.  Too bad.  But at least the presence of the rifle made the assailants flee.

No one needs an AR-15 for self defense.  Tell that to the man who was just on the receiving end of 20+ rounds.

Or tell that to Stephen Bayezes.

Or tell that to the pregnant woman who used an AR-15 to defend her family.

Story at WoG:

“Looks Like He’s Going to Get the Chance to Raise His Hand and Lie”

Via CNN: The Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm Steve Dettelbach as President Joe Biden’s pick to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Successful confirmation of the nominee is a victory for the Biden administration and comes in the wake of a string of recent mass shootings – in Buffalo, New York, Uvalde, Texas and Highland Park, Illinois – that have shocked the nation and led to calls for further action to address gun violence in America.

The confirmation vote marks a major milestone since the ATF has operated under a series of acting directors since its last Senate-confirmed leader stepped down in 2015, and the Senate last confirmed an ATF nominee in 2013.

At Newsweek, sprinkled with some propaganda, the story is getting out there. TCJ hasn’t reported on this and there’s some good reporting elsewhere. Just thought to update folks who haven’t been following the situation in the Netherlands.

But the effects will be global. The Netherlands is the world’s second largest agricultural exporter after the United States, making the country of barely 17 million inhabitants a food superpower. Given global food shortages and rising prices, the role of Dutch farmers in the global food chain has never been more important. But if you thought the Dutch government was going to take that into account and ensure that people can put food on the table, you would be wrong; when offered the choice between food security and acting against “climate change,” the Dutch government decided to pursue the latter.

What is particularly frustrating is that the government is fully aware that what it is asking farmers to do will drive many of them out of existence.

Note this sentence carefully:

The reaction by members of the agricultural sector has been massive and ongoing since 2019, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte to ban protests in 2020 and 2021.

[…]

It may make the country’s elite to feel good about themselves, but it will also result in large parts of the population seeing their living standards decline and their economic existence targeted by the state for ideological reasons.

All governments were given a head start during the planned shutdowns, but people seem to be coming out of dreamland about the global communist takeover. Europe and North America are not Central America; thinking there will be no reaction is a critical error by the globalists. On the other hand, there are a lot of socialist slogans used by the farmers. Will they accept concessions only to enter the ever-tightening noose?