H.R. 1181House119th Congress (2025-2027)Passed House

Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act

Introduced February 11, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 26, 2026 at 7:40 AM UTC

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act bars credit‑card networks and other payment processors from forcing firearms sellers to use merchant category codes (MCCs) that label them as gun dealers. It aims to keep a retailer’s business type private, treating gun stores like any other merchant. The law gives the Attorney General authority to enforce the rule, handle complaints, and report on its use.

Key Provisions

  • Payment‑card networks and any entity that processes credit, debit, or prepaid transactions may not require a firearms retailer to use, or assign, an MCC that is used only for gun sellers or that identifies the retailer as selling firearms, ammunition, accessories, or components.
  • The Attorney General must set up a complaint process within 90 days, investigate reports, and issue written notices of violation that give the offending party 30 days to fix the problem.
  • If the violation isn’t corrected, the Attorney General can sue in federal court to stop the behavior, but private individuals cannot bring their own lawsuits under this act.
  • State and local laws that try to regulate the assignment or disclosure of such MCCs are pre‑empted, except where they relate to fraud detection, dispute processing, or transaction security.
  • The Attorney General must submit an annual report to Congress detailing investigations, outcomes, and the act’s effectiveness.

Legislative Activity

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22 earlier actions
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

July 15, 2026

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 11, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

February 11, 2025

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

December 16, 2025

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

December 17, 2025

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 23.

December 17, 2025

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-522.

February 25, 2026

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 447.

February 25, 2026

HouseFloor

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1377 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1181, H.R. 9022, H.R. 8595 and H.R. 9237. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1181 and H.R. 9237 under a closed rule and H.R. 9022 and H.R. 8595 under a structured rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

June 23, 2026 • 7:18 PM

HouseFloor

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1423 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 139, H.R. 8595, H.R. 9237 and H.R. 1181. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 139, H.R. 9237, and H.R. 1181 under a closed rule, and H.R. 8595 under a structured rule with one hour of debate and one motion to reconsider on each bill.

July 13, 2026 • 5:59 PM

HouseFloor

Rule H. Res. 1423 passed House.

July 14, 2026 • 2:39 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1423. (consideration: CR H4441-4445)

July 14, 2026 • 3:19 PM

HouseFloor

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 139, H.R. 8595, H.R. 9237 and H.R. 1181. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 139, H.R. 9237, and H.R. 1181 under a closed rule, and H.R. 8595 under a structured rule with one hour of debate and one motion to reconsider on each bill.

July 14, 2026 • 3:19 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1181.

July 14, 2026 • 3:20 PM

HouseFloor

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

July 14, 2026 • 3:53 PM

HouseFloor

Mr. Frost moved to recommit to the Committee on Financial Services. (CR H4445)

July 14, 2026 • 3:54 PM

HouseFloor

The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

July 14, 2026 • 3:54 PM

HouseFloor

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 1181 the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Frost demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

July 14, 2026 • 3:54 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4451-4452)

July 14, 2026 • 5:19 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 217 (Roll no. 239).

July 14, 2026 • 5:26 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 201 (Roll no. 240).

July 14, 2026 • 5:33 PM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 201 (Roll no. 240). (text: CR H4441-4442)

July 14, 2026 • 5:33 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

July 14, 2026 • 5:33 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

July 15, 2026

Amendments

1 amendment

Offered to this bill

Floor Debate

22 members

What members said about H.R. 1181 on the floor

13 Republicans9 Democrats
James P. McGovern
Rep. James P. McGovernD-MA-2 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for yielding me the customary time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, to all my friends on the other side who have…

Virginia Foxx
Rep. Virginia FoxxR-NC-5 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1423 and ask for its immediate consideration. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30…

Monica De La Cruz
Rep. Monica De La CruzR-TX-15 · Dec 16, 2025

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions, as follows: H.R. 116: Mr. Jack. H.R. 154: Mr. Landsman. H.R. 158: Mr. Landsman. H.R. 220: Ms. Escobar. H.R. 251: Mr.…

Frank Pallone, Jr.
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.D-NJ-6 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Sunshine Protection Act. This act addresses an issue on which many Americans actually agree,…

Gus M. Bilirakis
Rep. Gus M. BilirakisR-FL-12 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1423, I call up the bill (H.R. 139) to make daylight savings time permanent, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration. Mr. Speaker, I…

Show 8 more
Maxine Waters
Rep. Maxine WatersD-CA-43 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose this bill because it limits efforts to detect and investigate gun violence and acts of terrorism. Before I…

Kat Cammack
Rep. Kat CammackR-FL-3 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in strong support for H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act, introduced by my friend and fellow Floridian,…

Monica De La Cruz
Rep. Monica De La CruzR-TX-15 · May 6, 2025

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions, as follows: H.R. 116: Ms. Boebert. H.R. 151: Ms. Van Duyne. H.R. 255: Mr. Gill of Texas, Mr. Self, and Ms. Crockett.…

Mary Gay Scanlon
Rep. Mary Gay ScanlonD-PA-5 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, as I think we can all tell from the ensuing debate here, there are serious issues that this body needs to be wrestling with, but the Speaker has chosen to put on the floor this week H.R.…

J. French Hill
Rep. J. French HillR-AR-2 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1423, I call up the bill (H.R. 1181) to prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring the use of or assigning merchant category codes…

Andy Barr
Rep. Andy BarrR-KY-6 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. I thank my friend, the gentleman from Arkansas, the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, for his…

Riley M. Moore
Rep. Riley M. MooreR-WV-2 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. My bill preserves two fundamental rights: the right to privacy and the right to bear arms. Americans…

W. Gregory Steube
Rep. W. Gregory SteubeR-FL-17 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act. For me, this vote has been nearly a decade in the making. In 2018, at the Braden River Barber Shop shortly after…

Show 11 more
Pete Sessions
Rep. Pete SessionsR-TX-17 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Bilirakis and the Energy and Commerce Committee for bringing this bill forward. My dear friend, the gentleman from Florida, Vern Buchanan, years ago began this process,…

Maxwell Frost
Rep. Maxwell FrostD-FL-10 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. Sponsors claim this bill prevents the privacy of gun owners, but in reality, it protects mass shooters, terrorists, gun…

Darren Soto
Rep. Darren SotoD-FL-9 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I want to start with a little history lesson. Back in 2013, this was my bill. I wrote this bill. I thought it was…

Mike Haridopolos
Rep. Mike HaridopolosR-FL-8 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for yielding, and I am proud to stand beside her today in support of this good rule and talk about the future of America. I first have to say this: One of the things…

Madeleine Dean
Rep. Madeleine DeanD-PA-4 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for this opportunity to talk about the Sunshine Protection Act. I rise in opposition to the bill and the danger it poses to our health and safety. This…

Brett Guthrie
Rep. Brett GuthrieR-KY-2 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my friend from Florida yielding. It is fun today because I have my friend from Florida controlling time. I have another friend from Florida (Mr. Soto) speaking for the bill,…

Madeleine Dean
Rep. Madeleine DeanD-PA-4 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McGovern for his remarks, and I could not agree with him more. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule for many reasons, as expressed--the outrage…

Troy A. Carter
Rep. Troy A. CarterD-LA-2 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act. Twice a year, Americans lose sleep, disrupt their routines, and pay the price for a practice that has outlived its…

Kim Schrier
Rep. Kim SchrierD-WA-8 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McGovern for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, right now, our country is facing a public health crisis that has been created by the Trump administration. From…

Vern Buchanan
Rep. Vern BuchananR-FL-16 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent and finally end the biannual clock switch. Twice a year, Americans…

Laurel M. Lee
Rep. Laurel M. LeeR-FL-15 · Jul 14, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1181, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act. The Second Amendment is a constitutional right. Americans should not have their lawful purchases singled…

Bill Text

4 versions available

Reading Mode
Latest
Referred in SenateIssued July 15, 2026

IIB

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 1181

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 15, 2026

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

AN ACT

To prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring the use of or assigning merchant category codes that distinguish a firearms retailer from general-merchandise retailer or sporting-goods retailer, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act.

2.

Distinguishing firearm retailers prohibited

(a)

Prohibitions relating to merchant category codes

(1)

For payment card networks

A payment card network may not require—

(A)

a firearms retailer to use a merchant category code that—

(i)

is used only or primarily for firearms retailers; or

(ii)

identifies such retailer as engaged in the business of selling firearms, ammunition, accessories of firearms, or components of firearms; or

(B)

a covered entity to assign a merchant category code that is used only or primarily for firearms retailers or that identifies a firearms retailer as engaged in the business of selling firearms.

(2)

For covered entities

A covered entity may not assign to a firearms retailer any merchant category code that is used only or primarily for firearms retailers or that identifies such retailer as engaged in the business of selling firearms, ammunition, accessories of firearms, or components of firearms.

(b)

Enforcement

(1)

In general

The Attorney General shall enforce this section and shall, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, establish a process for individuals, including firearms retailers, to submit complaints relating to alleged violations of this section.

(2)

Investigation

The Attorney General shall investigate any complaint received through the processes established by the Attorney General under paragraph (1).

(3)

Written notice

If the Attorney General determines, after conducting an investigation under paragraph (2), that a payment card network or covered entity has violated this section, the Attorney General shall send a written notice of such violation to such payment card network or covered entity that requires the payment card network or covered entity to remedy the violation not later than 30 days after the date on which the payment card network or covered entity receives such notice.

(4)

Injunction

(A)

In general

If a payment card network or covered entity does not remedy a violation within 30 days of receiving a written notice under paragraph (3), the Attorney General may bring an action in Federal court to enjoin the violating behavior.

(B)

No private right of action

This Act does not create a private right of action.

(c)

Preemption

(1)

In general

Any law of a State or local government regulating the assignment, use, or disclosure of merchant category codes that are used only or primarily for firearms retailers or that identifies a retailer as engaged in the business of selling firearms, ammunition, accessories of firearms, or components of firearms is hereby preempted.

(2)

Limitation

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), nothing in this Act may be construed to prevent a payment card network or a covered entity from complying with any Federal, State, or local law or regulations related to dispute processing, fraud, compliance management, or protecting transaction integrity from concerns related to illegal or suspicious activities, data breaches, or cyber risks.

(d)

Report

The Attorney General shall, each year, submit a report to the Congress that—

(1)

identifies the number of investigations undertaken by the Attorney General under subsection (b);

(2)

includes a summary of such investigations and their disposition; and

(3)

provides any available data and analysis that relates to the effectiveness of this Act.

(e)

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Ammunition

The term ammunition has the meaning given the term in section 921(a)(17)(A) of title 18, United States Code.

(2)

Covered entity

The term covered entity means any entity that—

(A)

has on the date of the enactment of this section, or establishes after the date of the enactment of this section, a relationship with a merchant for the purposes of processing credit, debit, or prepaid transactions; or

(B)

has on the date of the enactment of this section, or establishes after the date of the enactment of this section, a relationship with an entity that establishes a relationship with a merchant for the purposes of processing credit transactions, debit transactions, or prepaid transactions.

(3)

Firearm

The term firearm means—

(A)

a firearm as such term is defined in section 921(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code;

(B)

a shotgun as such term is defined in section 921(a)(5) of title 18, United States Code;

(C)

a rifle as such term is defined in section 921(a)(7) of title 18, United States Code;

(D)

an antique firearm as such term is defined in section 921(a)(16) of title 18, United States Code;

(E)

a semiautomatic rifle as such term is defined in section 921(a)(29) of title 18, United States Code; and

(F)

a handgun as such term is defined in section 921(a)(30) of title 18, United States Code.

(4)

Firearms retailer

The term firearms retailer means a person, entity, or retail location physically located in the United States that is engaged in the business of selling or trading—

(A)

firearms;

(B)

ammunition;

(C)

accessories of firearms; or

(D)

components of firearms.

(5)

Merchant category code

The term merchant category code means a multi-digit code, issued by the International Organization for Standardization, for the purposes of enabling the classification of merchants into specific categories based on the type of business, trade, or services supplied.

(6)

Payment card network

The term payment card network means an entity that directly or through a network participant, processor, or agent provides proprietary services, infrastructure, software, or hardware used to authorize, clear and settle credit, debit, or prepaid transactions.

Passed the House of Representatives July 14, 2026.

Kevin F. McCumber,

Clerk.