OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Credit card companies Visa, Mastercard, and American Express have reportedly decided to keep track of gun purchases.
The far-left supports this effort to track Americans with hopes of further restraining 2nd Amendment rights.
Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis said if the companies proceed with their plans, they will face penalties from the state of Florida.
“The second amendment is foundational to our American way of life,” Patronis said. “The idea that law-abiding Americans would be put on some kind of corporate watchlist is disturbing. Our rights come from our Creator, not the government, and especially not big corporations.”
‘It is clear that the actions by these credit card companies are part of a larger effort to curtail the God-given constitutional rights of Americans,” he continued.
“It is also symptomatic of the virus known as ESG, which is part of a global effort to socially re-engineer the country that we love so much. There is no way we will allow that to happen in the free state of Florida,” Patronis said.
“If we come to the legislative session and companies like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are generating these reports to create a chilling effect against the purchase of firearms, then I’ll work with the Legislature to pass a law penalizing businesses who are targeting the right to bear arms,” he said.
“We’ve seen a groundbreaking ruling come out of the Fifth Circuit limiting corporations’ ability to curtail American’s constitutional rights, so we are on solid legal footing to pursue a bill protecting Floridians 2nd Amendment Rights,” he said.
“We can also take it a step further by barring these companies from doing any business with the State of Florida,” he continued.
“We will send a message out to these large corporations that if you are interested in doing business with Florida, you need to make sure that you’re protecting Floridians right to arm and defend themselves,” Patronis concluded.
