Your MM host caught up with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) on credit card companies’ decision to delay the introduction of a dedicated merchant code for gun stores that had been a top priority for Democratic policymakers.
“I was a bit surprised but I’m glad that it has been paused,” said Capito, who was among the policymakers who blistered the card companies late last summer. Political pressure from the Hill, along with state-level efforts on the part of Republicans to block use of the code, “just created an untenable situation for them.”
The card companies are likely to face similar pressure from blue state leaders like New York Gov. Kathy Hochul who championed the code as a potential tool for law enforcement.
“States have the right to their opinions and we do come from different avenues,” Capito said, adding that she’s taking a “wait-and-see” approach before exploring options to resolve this at the federal level. “I think it makes it very difficult for these three entities to do a state by state hodgepodge approach here.”
