U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB1181: Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act
Status: Passed one chamber, July 15, 2026
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.
What the bill says
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.
From the introduced text, July 15, 2026:
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. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act . SECTION 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 …
Sponsors
- Riley Moore (R, HD-WV-2) · primary sponsor
- Garland Barr (R, HD-KY-6)
- Richard Hudson (R, HD-009)
- Aaron Bean (R, HD-FL-4)
- Ben Cline (R, HD-006)
- Scott Perry (R, HD-010)
- Elizabeth Van Duyne (R, HD-TX-24)
- Brett Guthrie (R, HD-KY-2)
- Mike Collins (R, HD-010)
- Brad Finstad (R, HD-001)
- Barry Moore (R, HD-AL-2)
- Daniel Webster (R, HD-011)
Latest actions
- : Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- : On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 201 (Roll no. 240).
- : Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- : On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 201 (Roll no. 240). (text: CR H4441-4442)
- : Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 201 (Roll no. 240).
- : On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 217 (Roll no. 239).
- : Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4451-4452)
- : 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.
- : The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- : Mr. Frost moved to recommit to the Committee on Financial Services. (CR H4445)
Votes
- On Passage (July 14, 2026): 221 yea, 201 nay, passed
- On Motion to Recommit (July 14, 2026): 208 yea, 217 nay, failed
Subjects: Consumer affairs, Right of privacy, Firearms and explosives, Banking and financial institutions regulation, Retail and wholesale trades, Finance and Financial Sector
Common questions
- What is HB1181?
- HB1181 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act.
- What does HB1181 do?
- In its own words: 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.
- What is the status of HB1181?
- Passed one chamber as of July 15, 2026. Latest action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (July 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1181?
- Riley Moore (R, HD-WV-2), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1181?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1181
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.