01 — The Text
What.
- Bans payment card networks from using merchant codes that identify firearms retailers separately from general or sporting-goods stores.
- Requires Department of Justice to enforce the ban and publish annual reports on investigations and prosecutions.
- Applies to all payment card networks operating in the U.S.
02 — The Stakes
So what?
- Gun rights advocates gain: firearms purchases become harder to track separately from other retail transactions.
- Gun control supporters lose: merchant-level data tracking—used by some researchers and advocacy groups—becomes unavailable.
- Credit card networks and retailers face compliance costs but avoid potential liability tied to firearm sales data.
03 — The Path
Now what?
- House passed it 221-201 (narrow margin). Now in Senate Banking Committee—no timeline for action.
- Senate passage is uncertain: the close House vote signals deep partisan division; GOP-controlled Senate may move faster.
- Contact your senator to share your position; track progress at Congress.gov.
Legislative History
Actions.
- Jul 15, 2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Jul 14, 2026 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jul 14, 2026 — On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 201 (Roll no. 240). (text: CR H4441-4442)
- Jul 14, 2026 — Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 201 (Roll no. 240).
- Jul 14, 2026 — On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 217 (Roll no. 239).
- Jul 14, 2026 — Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4451-4452)
- Jul 14, 2026 — 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.
- Jul 14, 2026 — The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.