Legislatures consider special protections for gun industry

Source: Associated Press

Legislatures consider special protections for gun industry

Melissa Hellmann, Associated Press

Updated 8:08 am, Tuesday, February 9, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A terse letter from Andrew Clyde's credit card-processing company explained it was discontinuing his corporate account because his Georgia firearms business "no longer met our underwriting guidelines." In a panic, Clyde called three other companies, which denied him, too.

After hearing from Clyde and others in the gun business who reported similar treatment, the industry's trade association launched efforts in several Republican-led Legislatures over the past year seeking to restrict discrimination by financial institutions.

But the legislation being pushed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation wouldn't offer a blanket protection for all businesses — just those "engaged in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition products."

"You have to think that someone's targeting us," said Clyde, who is set to testify on Georgia's version of the bill during a legislative hearing Tuesday.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Legislatures-consider-special-protections-for-gun-6816112.php