Bill Overview
Title: No SmartPay for Anti-2A Companies Act
Description: This bill prohibits the General Service Administration from awarding a contract under the SmartPay Program for the procurement of a commercial payment system that uses a payment processing agency that has implemented a merchant category code for gun retailers.
Sponsors: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
Target Audience
Population: People associated with gun retailers and payment agencies with 2A restrictions
Estimated Size: 1500000
- The SmartPay Program is used by federal agencies for purchasing and payment solutions.
- The bill specifically targets payment processing agencies that have implemented a merchant category code for gun retailers.
- This suggests the bill affects gun retailers who may face restricted access to certain federal contracting opportunities.
- Payment processing agencies could be incentivized to change their policies to avoid losing federal contracts, indirectly affecting their operations.
- Individuals working at gun retailers or those who rely on the services of these retailers could also be impacted.
Reasoning
- Gun retailers are directly affected as their transactions may be further scrutinized or restricted through changes in payment processing policies.
- Employees of gun retailers may face job insecurity if their employers are unable to participate in federal procurement programs.
- Payment processing agencies might shift their policies to retain government contracts, which could affect their business model and employees.
- Customers who rely on services from gun retailers might find reduced accessibility, impacting their satisfaction and wellbeing related to these services.
- Considering cultural and personal values tied to gun ownership in the U.S., policies impacting gun retailers could also affect public perception and trust.
Simulated Interviews
Gun Shop Owner (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried this policy will hurt my business. Losing the ability to work with certain payment processors could limit my customer base.
- I support the Second Amendment and see this as an indirect attack on our rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 9 |
Payment Processing Agency Executive (California)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our agency may need to re-evaluate how we categorize merchants to maintain government contracts.
- This could be a big operational change, but it might not directly impact me unless my job focus shifts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Cashier at Gun Retailer (Michigan)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Job security worries me; if our store loses significant business, I could face reduced hours or layoffs.
- I feel like this policy could eventually trickle down to affect my career plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Customer Service Rep at Payment Processing Company (Illinois)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There might be more workload as merchants dispute or adapt to category changes.
- Overall, it depends on how our company decides to handle it, so my concern is moderate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Economics Professor (New York)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy might seem small, it could have broader economic impacts if it pressures changes in how gun retailers operate.
- I'll be interested in studying the longer-term economic effects if it leads to significant industry shifts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Gun Enthusiast and Part-time Reviewer (West Virginia)
Age: 49 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy feels like another way to target gun rights, and I'm frustrated that it could make it harder for users like me to buy legally.
- It seems like a roundabout form of control which I oppose.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
Chief Financial Officer at a Payment Company (Florida)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We might need to adjust our risk assessments if merchants start renegotiating based on new categories.
- It's another layer of complexity, but we've dealt with legislative changes before.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Customer at Gun Retailers (Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Potential restrictions in payment could make it more difficult for me to buy what I need.
- I'm concerned about the reach of financial policies into gun rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Gun Rights Advocate (Ohio)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is concerning as it may indirectly impact our ability to conduct transactions involving firearms.
- It feels like financial discrimination against law-abiding gun owners.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Small Business Advisor (Georgia)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might create more advisory work as retailers adjust to new compliance needs.
- I see a chance to help businesses adapt so they continue to thrive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill does not require new funding from the federal budget.
- It potentially impacts the private sector more by shifting business dynamics for certain payment processors and retailers.
- The short-term impacts may include operational alterations for businesses connecting with gun retailers.
- There are no direct substantial economic or budgetary impacts expected due to the narrow scope of the bill.