Hartford Reporter

Washington, D.C. - On June 22, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced the Assault Weapons Financing Accountability Act to ban use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) for purchasing assault weapons and ghost gun kits that could be used to build them. Banning use of instant financing like BNPL options for assault weapons and the ghost gun kits is a step toward reducing the instant accessibility of these weapons and preventing the tragedies of gun violence before they occur. Last year, Rep. Larson led a letter to Credova CEO Dusty Wunderlich requesting information regarding the use of Credova’s Buy Now, Pay Later services to finance online purchases for guns, ammunitions, and firearm accessories.

“Ten years ago, 26 innocent lives were stolen at Sandy Hook Elementary school. We have had mass shooting after mass shooting since. Seven years ago today, I led a sit-in on the House Floor with my late and dear friend, Rep. John Lewis, to demand Republicans stop standing in the way of gun violence prevention legislation after the shooting at Pulse nightclub. Despite these tragedies and all that have happened since then, we are still fighting Republican inaction,” said Larson.

“Americans are demanding action to stop gun violence. The schools, grocery stores, movie theaters, and malls of the most powerful and richest nation in the world should be safe places,” Larson continued. “I am putting this legislation forward as one step toward addressing the gun violence that plagues our communities all across the nation. We also know that many mass shooters use credit to finance their weapons of war and destruction. By preventing dangerous people from using instant financing to buy these weapons of war, we can save lives. There is much more we must do, and we will never give up this fight.”

"Assault weapons enable shooters to fire multiple rounds rapidly with deadly precision, increasing their ability to injure and kill people. That's why so many of the deadliest shootings in our nation's history involved the use of an assault weapon. The Assault Weapons Financing Accountability Act would make it harder for people with evil intentions to get instant access to assault weapons without ever intending to pay. We thank Representative Larson for introducing this legislation that could prevent future mass shootings," said Adzi Vokhiwa, Giffords Federal Affairs Director.  

 “In dozens of shootings, including in Orlando and Las Vegas, credit has been used to skirt the costs of semi-automatic weapons, making these weapons of war even more accessible,” said Elena Perez, a Senior Policy Associate at March For Our Lives. “Buy Now, Pay Later programs provide instant financing, undermining responsible gun ownership and, instead, encouraging impulsive purchases with little repercussions. When lives are on the line, we must do everything we can to save them, including a ban on Buy Now Pay Later programs on semi-automatic rifles.”

“Allowing assault weapons to be purchased using Buy Now, Pay Later loans opens a myriad of doors from which tragedy can enter. These loans enable impulsive purchases – particularly for young people with no credit history – and threaten the safety of all Americans. These predatory payment plans only serve to further the gun industry’s goal of mass proliferation of weapons of war in our communities. Brady is grateful to Congressman Larson for introducing this legislation that will put a stop to this reckless practice,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady: United Against Gun Violence.

The bill text for the Assault Weapons Financing Accountability Act can be found here.

Cosponsors:

Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-31), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Norton (DC), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Brittany Petterson (CO-07), Katie Porter (CA-47), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Nikema Williams (GA-05).  

Issues: Gun Violence Prevention

Original source can be found here.