NEWTOWN, Conn –-(Ammoland.com)- In the latest step in our leadership on this issue, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is now conducting a phone survey asking members about cases of financial service provider discrimination.
As we have reported earlier, the Obama Administration Justice Department undertook an initiative called “Operation Choke Point.”
Although administration officials subsequently denied firearms related business were intended targets, the goal of the effort has been to coerce banks and third-party payment processors into closing accounts or denying services to businesses that have been classified as “high risk” or “reputational risk” by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).
The agency included federally licensed firearms retailers and other companies in the firearms and ammunition industry. Due to this action, some lenders and service providers have ended relationships with companies solely based on their industry. While the Administration has indicated it will remove FFLs from the high risk list, there is no evidence that this discrimination has, in fact, ended.
NSSF is pursuing state and federal legislation to address the discriminatory treatment of companies in our industry by financial institutions as well as other service providers such as internet search engines, internet service providers that host websites, social media platforms, credit card processors, broadcast and cable media outlets, and insurance companies.
Media interest in Operation Choke Point remains high. See this Fox News Channel, “Kelly File” program segment with Katie Pavlich.
About NSSFThe National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.