WV AG Secures Financial Institutions FIND Act Assurances

• Three financial institutions — Ramp, BILL, and First Internet Bank of Indiana — have assured West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey they will not discriminate against lawful firearms commerce.
• These assurances followed warning letters from the AG's office regarding potential violations of the state's Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act.
• The warnings stemmed from alleged refusals to provide payment processing services to Kent Cartridge Company, a West Virginia ammunition manufacturer.
• BILL has since established a business relationship with Kent Cartridge Company.
• Attorney General McCuskey encourages all West Virginia firearms businesses to report any financial services discrimination to his office for investigation and potential action.

His office is unequivocally dedicated to safeguarding this fundamental right by ensuring that all financial institutions operating within the state extend equitable treatment to firearms industry members, mirroring the services provided to any other legitimate enterprise.

Three prominent financial institutions, Ramp, BILL, and First Internet Bank of Indiana, have formally assured West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey that they will not engage in discriminatory practices against lawful firearms commerce. These assurances were provided via letter following warning communications from the Attorney General’s Office, which indicated potential breaches of the state’s Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act. The initial warning letters specifically addressed concerns that these companies had refused to provide essential payment processing services to Kent Cartridge Company, a significant local manufacturer.

Kent Cartridge Company, a cornerstone of the West Virginia economy, has been producing premium, environmentally friendly ammunition for over three decades from its factory situated in Kearneysville, within the state's Eastern Panhandle. This long-standing business was at the center of the alleged discrimination. Notably, BILL has since confirmed to the Attorney General’s Office that it has successfully established a business relationship with Kent Cartridge Company, marking a positive resolution for the ammunition producer in this specific instance. The broader commitment from all three financial entities reflects the Attorney General's firm stance on protecting the state's firearms industry.

The West Virginia Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act (FIND Act) forms the bedrock of the Attorney General's recent enforcement efforts, designed to prevent financial services discrimination targeting businesses within the firearms sector. Attorney General McCuskey explicitly stated that the very existence of the FIND Act underscores the profound importance West Virginians place on the constitutional right to bear arms. His office is unequivocally dedicated to safeguarding this fundamental right by ensuring that all financial institutions operating within the state extend equitable treatment to firearms industry members, mirroring the services provided to any other legitimate enterprise.

This dedication translates into a proactive enforcement posture, with the Attorney General's Office prepared to conduct thorough investigations and implement appropriate legal actions when circumstances warrant. The recent engagement with Ramp, BILL, and First Internet Bank of Indiana serves as a clear demonstration of the state's resolve to uphold the FIND Act's provisions. It signals that the WV AG is actively monitoring compliance and is ready to respond decisively to any credible reports of alleged discrimination against firearms businesses.

Attorney General JB McCuskey has issued a direct appeal to all West Virginia firearms businesses, regardless of their size, urging them to contact his office if they encounter any form of discrimination from financial institutions. This broad directive encompasses banks, credit card companies, and payment processors, highlighting the comprehensive scope of the Attorney General’s oversight. The Attorney General’s office has affirmed its readiness to investigate such complaints thoroughly and to take decisive action to protect firearms businesses from unfair or discriminatory practices. This proactive stance by the WV AG ensures that financial institutions providing services in West Virginia must meticulously review their policies and operational procedures to guarantee full adherence to the FIND Act.

The recent assurances from Ramp, BILL, and First Internet Bank of Indiana regarding their non-discriminatory policies underscore the potential for significant enforcement actions against entities found to be in violation of the state law. This development signals a heightened regulatory environment where the West Virginia Attorney General's Office is actively working to prevent WV financial services discrimination against the firearms industry, thereby reinforcing the state's commitment to firearms business protection and ensuring fair access to essential financial services.

Financial institutions operating in West Virginia must ensure their policies and practices comply with the FIND Act to avoid enforcement actions, as the Attorney General is actively monitoring and investigating alleged discrimination against firearms businesses. Lawyers advising financial institutions should review client policies, and those advising firearms businesses should be aware of the AG's office as a resource for reporting discrimination.

Source: Original reporting via West Virginia Attorney General's Office