Market Watch:
Banks and credit-card companies are discussing ways to identify purchases of guns in their payment systems, a move that could be a prelude to restricting such transactions, according to people familiar with the talks.
The discussions are preliminary but could be deeply controversial. Gun-rights groups have long resisted any effort to monitor which Americans own guns; there are federal laws limiting the government’s use of electronic databases of gun sales.
The financial companies have explored creating a new credit-card code for firearms dealers, similar to how they code restaurants, or department stores, according to people familiar with the matter. Another idea would require merchants to share information about specific firearm products consumers are buying, some of the people said.
They’re driving us towards a cash-based exchange for firearms and ammunition. It should be cash-based anyway, you say. I understand the sentiment. Without cash to back up credit cards, you lose the credit card. Besides, that’s poor form. A man always honors his obligations.
But there is more to it than that, and you know it. Even if it’s a firearm that you hold on 90-day lawaway with the local gun shop, you seldom make all the payments in cash. Even if you do, you seldom carry around enough cash to buy a firearm outright. Most of the time, you float it with a credit card or ATM card until the next day, or the end of the month when you get paid.
Even if you don’t do that, many buyers do. This will affect the financial health of everything from local gun shops to large firearms manufacturers. I’ve warned about this before. In addition to the advice I gave firearms manufacturers – remove all avenues of leverage, get out of debt, and cut ties with corporate America – there is much more than can be done. Hornady is showing us the way and is an example of responsible corporate support of our rights and liberties (via TTAG).
Today, the State of New York did one of the most despicable acts ever perpetrated by any state by asking New York banks, financial institutions and insurance companies to stop doing business with the gun and ammo industry.
While it may not make a difference to New York, Hornady will not knowingly allow our ammunition to be sold to the State of NY or any NY agencies. Their actions are a blatant and disgusting abuse of office and we won’t be associated with a government that acts like that. They should be ashamed.
I don’t know if it will make a difference or not, but I know what will make a difference. It would be like trying to herd cats, but if the firearms and ammunition industry could finally avoid the temptation to whore after government contracts, not just FedGov but state, county and local governments too, when they take positions that run contrary to our liberties, it would effectively end this charade in a single day.
So let’s suppose that Daniel Defense, CMMG, BCI Defense, Knight’s Armament, Rock River Arms, FN, Springfield Armory, LaRue Tactical, Ruger, Barrett, Savage and all other firearms manufacturers, refused to sell to governments that took positions like the state of New York where officials were working with banks to effect gun control measures or encourage non-patronage of the firearms community by banks. Let’s also suppose that ammunition manufacturers – Remington, Federal, Double-Tap, Magtech, Winchester, and others – joined them in refusing to sell ammunition to such entities. Thus those entities could obtain neither firearms nor ammunition for government officials, including LEOs.
What do you think would be the outcome of such a large, dovetailed response of the community to this overreach and bigotry? I suspect the bigotry would end overnight. It would certainly end if they inquired if any of the products were to be used in security operations for Bank of America, Citibank, Amalgamated, Wells Fargo, and the other large operations, and also refused to sell to their security teams.
It’s possible to end this bigotry, it’s just a matter of will and strategy. We know what to do, it’s a matter of doing it. You can help by forwarding this article to every firearms and ammunition manufacturer who will listen. The banks can back down from this war with firearms owners before it is too late and unpleasant things happen.
As for Hornady, I suspect they will benefit immensely from this decision. If you are a firearms or ammunition manufacturer, straighten up and pay attention. This is how you do it. This is how you pay your dues and earn the trust and respect of the community. The community rewards such trust and respect.
