What they said. What they meant.

“I want to talk about gun violence. I want to talk about how many people are killed by guns. I want to talk about a famous shooting. I want to talk about how some states require payment card networks to use a code for gun retailers. I want to say this code could help law enforcement track suspicious purchases. I want to say a bill would make it harder to track suspicious purchases. I want to say this bill will make it easier for criminals to buy guns. I want to talk about a mass shooting where the shooter used credit cards to buy guns and ammo. I want to say that if there were codes for gun shops, maybe the shooter would have been caught. I want to say Americans want Congress to do something about gun violence. I want to say this bill goes in the opposite direction. I want to say this bill will stop states from requiring codes for gun shops. I want you to vote against this bill.”

“I want to talk against this bill. I want to say it makes it harder to catch criminals. I want to say it makes communities less safe. I want to say banks have to report suspicious transactions. I want to say this helps catch human traffickers. I want to say this bill stops states from flagging suspicious gun sales. I want to say many gun traffickers don't buy guns like responsible owners. I want to say trafficked guns often go to convicted felons. I want to say felons with guns are a big risk. I want to say gun violence kills many children and police. I want to say we should break up gun trafficking rings. I want you to vote against this bill.”

“I don't like this bill. I think it protects bad people. I think banks should track people who buy guns. I think banks should tell the government who buys guns. A shooter in my district used credit cards to buy guns. I want banks to stop that. I want the government to know when people buy guns. I want the government to stop people from buying guns. I want to send this bill back to committee. I want to make sure the government can track people who buy guns. I want to stop this bill from passing.”

“I want to protect people's lives. I think gun violence is bad. I think the government should do more to stop gun violence. I think the right to life is more important than the right to privacy. I think the government should track people who buy guns. I think this is constitutional. I want this bill to not pass. I want to thank the people who agree with me.”

“You say this bill violates the Constitution. But banks use the same codes for other stores. If you think it's wrong, why not ban the codes for all stores? The codes don't track what people buy. They are a normal tool. I think the argument against the bill is not good. I want to stop mass shootings. I think the bill will help.”

“I want to talk about a bill I don't like. I had a hearing. No one said they liked the bill. The bill is bad. The bill stops banks from marking gun store purchases. The codes might help law enforcement. That might save lives. I think it is worth it. I don't like that the bill stops states from using the codes. That is not right.”