(2ANEWS) – In a move that is concerning gun rights advocates, the California Legislature has introduced Assembly Bill 1587, which would require credit card issuers to use specific merchant category codes unique to firearm and ammunition retailers. The bill seeks to track individuals who purchase firearms and ammunition in the state, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.
This latest attempt to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens in California is just one of many. The National Rifle Association of America (NRA), which advocates for the responsible use and ownership of firearms, is intervening in a case against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) “pistol brace rule.” The rule, which has been opposed by gun rights groups, could prohibit the use of stabilizing braces that make firearms easier to handle for disabled individuals.
Meanwhile, pro-gun advocates in other states have been pushing back against attempts to track legal firearm owners. Several states have passed laws banning such efforts, citing privacy concerns.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas recently signed important legislation protecting the privacy rights of lawful firearms purchasers and strengthening the state firearms preemption law. In contrast, Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont has signed more Second Amendment restrictions into law, further limiting law-abiding citizens’ right to bear arms.
The Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), the “lobbying” arm of the NRA, is responsible for preserving the rights of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes. The organization believes that gun ownership is a fundamental right protected by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, and that law-abiding citizens should not face undue burdens and restrictions in exercising that right.
The U.S. House is now expected to vote on legislation that would overturn the ATF’s pistol brace rule, a move welcomed by gun rights advocates who argue that it unfairly burdens disabled individuals. However, the passage of AB 1587 in California shows that gun control proponents remain undaunted, and that they will continue to seek ways to limit the Second Amendment rights of Americans.
The NRA and other pro-gun organizations continue to fight for the rights of gun owners across the country, and will keep pushing back against attempts to restrict those rights. Gun ownership is a deeply ingrained tradition in America, and supporters of the Second Amendment believe that it is crucial for the protection of individual liberties and personal safety.
