Law Shield previously informed our members about Operation Choke Point, the Department of Justice and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation program that was intended to restrict the provision of banking and financial services to industries arbitrarily deemed “high risk” of conducting illegal activity. See the related stories below for background:
Is ‘Operation Choke Point’ Punishing Firearms Firms?
U.S. Rep. Seeking ‘Operation Choke Point’ Stories
FDIC Admits Wrongdoing in Targeting of Firearms Companies
Now, Congress is moving into action. There are media follow-ups on businesses that continue to be affected and state-level legislation to kill Choke Point is moving as well. In our view, the sooner this program is terminated the better:
- Schweikert Introduces Legislation … U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) this week introduced the Firearms Manufacturers and Dealers Protection Act of 2015 in direct response to the discriminatory effects of Operation Choke Point. Schweikert said in a press release, “The Firearms Manufacturers and Dealers Protection Act will fully defund Operation Choke Point and eliminate the potential for similar programs to emerge in the future.”
- Crapo Amendment Passes Senate Budget Committee … U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) is using the budgetary process to end Operation Choke Point activities. His amendment to a Senate budget proposal was approved Thursday on a 13-9 vote at the Senate Budget Committee markup of the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget blueprint.
- More Stories of Firearms Businesses Denied Services …The Daily Signal’s Kelsey Harkness has been at work for months documenting cases where Operation Choke Point directives prevented a firearms related business from receiving financial services. Read her latest report.
- Firearms Industry Protection Bill Introduced in Alabama … State Rep. Ed Henry this week introduced HB 327, the Alabama Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act. Alabama is the second state to see this legislation introduced to protect the lawful commerce in firearms, ammunition or related products by making it a discriminatory business practice to refuse provision of services.
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