Bill > HB1629

This bill creates new legal provisions to regulate how financial institutions track and process transactions related to firearms purchases, specifically prohibiting them from discriminating against firearms retailers or customers based on the use of a specific Merchant Category Code (MCC 5723) for firearms transactions. The bill defines several key terms, including "financial institution" and "firearms retailer," and establishes that financial institutions cannot refuse transactions, deny business, charge higher fees, or take punitive actions against customers or merchants solely based on their involvement with firearms-related commerce. If a financial institution violates these provisions, the Missouri Attorney General can investigate and issue a written notice requiring the institution to cease the violation within 30 days. Firearms retailers or customers can petition the Attorney General to investigate potential violations, and if the Attorney General does not act within 90 days, they can file a court action. Institutions found to be in ongoing violation can be subjected to injunctions and potentially face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with the court considering factors like the violator's financial resources and potential harm to Second Amendment rights. The bill also allows for recovery of legal expenses for prevailing parties and specifically states that disclosure to federal entities does not automatically constitute a defense against such actions.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1629&year=2026&code=R