GRNC Alert 09-24-13: Authorize.Net “De-Authorizes” Gun Sellers

 
AUTHORIZE .NET ABANDONS GUN SELLERS
 

GRNC has just learned that the shopping-cart-gateway provider, Authorize.Net (a subsidiary of CyberSource), is refusing to continue providing services to Hyatt Guns, a large North Carolina-based gun shop that also has a sizable online presence. In late August, management at Hyatt Guns was disappointed and perplexed to receive a notice explaining that the store was in violation of Authorize.Net’s “acceptable use” policy. What was their offending violation? They sell firearms. In Authorize.Net’s own words:


Dear Hyatt Gun Shop Inc,


Authorize.Net LLC (“Authorize.Net”) has determined that the nature of your business constitutes a violation of Section 2.xiv of the Authorize.Net Acceptable Use Guidelines and Sections 3.3 and 11.3 of the Authorize.Net Service Agreement (the “Agreement”). These sections include, but are not limited to, the sale of firearms or any similar product. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 4 of the Acceptable Use Guidelines, your ability to access and use the Authorize.Net Services will be terminated on September 30, 2013.

You read that right. Authorize.Net is terminating the gun store’s access to its services simply because they sell guns. Based on their policy statement above, one can only conclude that this discriminatory policy is being applied to gun sellers nationwide. It looks like the small but noisy anti-gun crowd has gotten to what must be a jelly-spined PR department at CyberSource and Authorize.Net. Either that, or leadership at these companies have simply become anti-gun all on their own. Whatever the cause, Authorize.Net is making it clear that businesses lawfully selling firearms are undesirable, and need not apply.

Authorize.Net’s unexpected abandonment has left Hyatt Guns, and presumably others, with very little time to find a new provider for online transactions. The scramble to set up a new system in a short period of time is disruptive and quite costly. If this is how upstanding business people are going to be treated by CyberSource and Authorize.Net, it’s time that we all “de-authorize” them from our online experience.
GRNC is recommending that you keep a close eye out for the Authorize.Net and CyberSource names and logos when shopping online, and avoid making purchases from companies that use their services. When you run across one of these logos, take a moment and let the online shop know why you’ve decided to take your business elsewhere. Below you’ll see the identifying logos for CyberSource and Authorize.Net, which you may see when checking out at an online store. Please take a good look, and put them on your “don’t buy” list. 

GRNC also asks that you contact CyberSource and make it clear that you’re on to them, that you refuse to buy from companies that use their services, and that you intend to convey this message to online merchants. They need to know that singling out upstanding businessmen and women, and needlessly making it more difficult for them to conduct lawful and ethical commerce, will not be tolerated. Tell them that making such an unjust practice part of their business model will not only adversely affect their reputation, but it will hit them where it hurts most—the bottom line. Below, you will find contact information and suggested text for a message to CyberSource regarding Authorize.Net’s prejudice. Please contact them, and let them know that treating gun sellers like second class merchants is an affront to gun owners, and to all freedom-loving people for that matter.

 
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
 
  • Contact CyberSource regarding Authorize.Net: Respectfully tell them that treating honest, law-abiding businessmen and women as though they are doing something immoral or illegal is not acceptable. See contact information and suggested messages below.
     
  • Watch for the CyberSource and Authorize.Net Logos: Take a good look at the logos below. When you see any of these at a merchant’s site, take a moment to tell them why you will not be spending your money with them.

CONTACT INFO
CyberSource phone: 650-432-7350 / 800-530-9095
(CyberSource President and CEO, Michael Walsh)

Send an online message with this e-mail address:   sales@cybersource.com

Or by clicking here,Or go to:

http://www.cybersource.com/contact_us/?utm_expid=48516430-5.ahagzESsQl2BCjNlg4_LNA.0&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cybersource.com%2F

 
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
 

PHONE MESSAGE

I’ve just heard about your subsidiary, Authorize.Net’s, policy of discrimination against gun sellers. Cutting off product access to honest, law-abiding businessmen and women as though they are doing something immoral or illegal is not acceptable. I’m calling to let you know that I’m taking a stand, and I will not buy from merchants who use the CyberSource or Authorize.Net services as long as your company practices this sort of intolerance as part of its business model. When I run across a merchant using your services, I intend to tell them why I am taking my business elsewhere. I hope CyberSource will update the Authorize.Net policy to be more inclusive, and I ask that you please deliver my message to your President and CEO, Michael Walsh. I plan to monitor this matter through alerts I receive from Grass Roots North Carolina. Thank you.

ONLINE MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Stop Discriminating against Gun Sellers

Dear  Mr. Walsh and CyberSource Management:

I’ve just learned about your subsidiary, Authorize.Net’s, policy of discrimination against gun sellers, specifically against Hyatt Guns in North Carolina, but doubtless many others as well. I understand that your company has had a presumably amicable business relationship with Hyatt Guns for more than four years, but you’ve suddenly contacted them to tell them that you will be abandoning them, leaving them only a short thirty days to make other arrangements in order to keep their online shop in business.

Cutting off product access to honest, law-abiding businessmen and women as though they are doing something immoral or illegal is not acceptable. I am writing to inform you that I will be taking a stand against your unethical treatment of Hyatt Guns, and gun sellers in general. I will not buy from merchants who use Authorize.Net services as long as your company practices this sort of intolerance as part of its business model. When I run across a merchant using your services, I intend to tell them why I am taking my business elsewhere.

I hope you will rethink your policy, which unfairly singles out merchants who serve customers in an area of commerce that is traditional, vital and Constitutionally protected. I will continue to monitor this matter through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.

Respectfully,

 
Copyright Info
 
 
© 2012 GRNCFFE, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution is permitted provided full attribution is given and the item is reprinted in its entirety. Address questions to: President@GRNC.org

Find Your Representatives

NC STATE House & Senate: http://www.grnc.org/contact_reps.htm
 
FEDERAL Congressman: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
 
FEDERAL Senators: http://www.senate.gov/


 
GRNC Sponsors
 

Support these PRO RKBA merchants who, as GRNC sponsors, are supporting your Second Amendment rights:

 
Corporate Benefactors
 
Carolina Shooters Club: The largest/ most active Online firearms community in the Carolinas. Come join the discussions with our firearms enthusiasts and trainers. We have dedicated sections for the ladies, training topics, political and 2A-related issues. http://www.carolinashootersclub.com
37 Public Shooting Range & Gun Club, 1333 Loop Road, Bunnlevel, NC 28323, 910-893-9887, www.range37.com

Point Blank Range, 743 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117, 704-230-0262, www.PointBlankRange.com 

 
Hyatt Gun Shop, 3332 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28208, 704-394-0387, www.hyattguns.com

C & E Gun Shows, 4225 Fortress Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060; Phone 540-953-0016 or 888-715-0606; http://www.cegunshows.com/

Dixie Gun and Knife Shows, PO Box 21049, Raleigh, NC 27619, ph: 919-781-1287, www.dixiegunandknifeshow.com/

2A Friendly & NCGunOwners.com, North Carolina’s friendliest firearm smartphone app and web forum, working to promote gun ownership in NC www.NCGunOwners.com & 2AFriendly.com

Handgunners, Inc., 4325 NC Hwy 49 South, Burlington, NC 27215, (336) 570-1015 www.handgunners.com

Sterling Pistols, custom pistols, FFL transfers, general repairs, Glock enhancements, 704-840-7625

 
 
 
Corporate Patrons
 

MK Shows, Mike Kent, PO Box 685, Monroe, GA 30655, Mike@MKShows.com, Phone: 770-630-7296, http://MKShows.com

Morris Firearms at Sportsman’s Lodge, Great handgun prices. New and used guns.  Stocking dealer for Glock, Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer,
Springfield Armory, Bond Arms, Ruger, Dan Wesson and more.  Buy, sell & trade.  Phone: 336-961-6800  Fax: 336-961-6801.  www.gftc.com

The Blue Book Man, www.thebluebookman.com and www.thefirearmsguide.com

Down South Ammo, Home of “SOUTHERN THUNDER” Exploding Targets, http://downsouthammo.com/

Holsters & Stuff, 4048 Sherwood Forest Drive, Trinity, NC 27370, (336) 313-6167 www.holstersandstuff.com

DoubleD Media, 8300 Raintree Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277, ph: 704-650-5555, fx: 704-544-0326 donna@doubledme.com

Gunner’s Alley, LLC, 203 N. Harrison Ave., Ste. 130, Cary, NC 27513, www.gunnersalley.com, 919-388-1991, contact: Ed Guerriero, ed@gunnersalley.com

 
Corporate Sponsors
 
The Aisle Pawn Shop, 216 N. Main St., Mooresville, NC 28115, 704-663-5656

Duncan Gun & Pawn, 414 Second St., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, 336-667-6303, www.duncangun.com

Shooter’s Express, 2 Caldwell Dr., Belmont, NC 28012, 800-358-GUNS, www.shootersexpress.com

Vanguard Security Consulting, LLC, 19135 W. Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031

Leave a Comment