NSSF Hails Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act

The National Shooting Sports Association (NSSF) hails the introduction of H.R. 1181 that protects the privacy of firearms purchases.

The NSSF posted:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, hails the introduction of H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.V.), which would ban the use of a firearm retailer-specific Merchant Category Code (MCC). The legislation would protect the Second Amendment privacy of firearm and ammunition purchasers from financial service and payment card providers compiling purchase history that has already proven to be exploited by the federal government for political purposes.

Rep. Moore is joined by Congressmen Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.) and 23 additional co-sponsors.

To read more, go here. 

Tracking Of California Credit Card Gun Purchases

Above, the Remington 870 shotgun I bought last year was a cash purchase. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

There's a very big reason why I and many other gun owners purchase firearms by cash only. Some states are allowing credit card companies to code firearm and ammunition purchases with a code to track them. This amounts to a registry of firearms and firearm owners.

Other states have passed laws outlawing this practice.

California has passed a new law allowing this and it is going to effect.

The Truth About Guns posted:

California gun owners have long been besieged by a lengthy list of unjust, unconstitutional firearm laws that make practicing their Second Amendment right more difficult. And a new law that just took effect is going to make freedom even more scarce in The Golden State.

The new law, passed by the legislature last year and signed by anti-gun Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom, required credit card networks to make a new firearm-specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) available to banks and other financial institutions by Monday.

At issue is a special MCC for gun and ammunition purchases adopted last year by the International Organization for Standardization. MCCs are used by payment processors (like Visa and Mastercard) and other financial services companies to categorize transactions.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Eager To Welcome Tourists Amid Weak Yen

Above, Akihabara electronics shopping district of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tomorrow is the day that Japan welcomes foreign tourists as in the pre-pandemic days.

The big change that the Japanese and tourists are eager for is the "cheap yen", which provides more purchasing power for tourists.

According to the Associated Press:

TOKYO (AP) — It’s hard to tell from his serious demeanor, but Akky International Corp. Chief Executive Hideyuki Abe can barely contain his excitement.

Foreign tourists are coming back, those big-spending visitors from abroad who used to flock into his colorful store in Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district, its colorful shelves filled with watches and souvenirs like samurai swords and toy cats with bobbing heads.

Individual travelers will be able to visit Japan without visas beginning on Tuesday, just like in pre-COVID-19 times, and electronics stores, airlines and various tourists spots have big hopes for a revival of their businesses.

Japan kept its borders closed to most foreign travelers during much of the pandemic. Only packaged tours have been allowed since June. Meanwhile, the yen has weakened sharply against the dollar, giving some visitors much heftier buying power and making Japan nearly irresistible to bargain hunters.

To read more, go here. 

NRA Buys YouTube

Above, Wayne LaPierre is all smiles following the signing of the purchase agreement.

The National Rifle association apparently switched tactics over its dispute with YouTube in censoring (i.e., removing) their gun safety videos.

The NRA bought YouTube.

According to the CMS News Service:

A deal was finalized last evening between the National Rifle Association and Alphabet, Inc. in which the gun rights organization bought the video-sharing website. 

The purchase price has not been disclosed. 

Google and YouTube are both units of the Mountain View, California-based Alphabet Inc.

Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the NRA said that this deal will remove the unfair practices of YouTube by the current regime.

If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em!

To read more, go here.