Visa, Mastercard, and Discover suspended their work on a code that would track gun purchases.

The payment processors had previously committed to implementing the code, suggested by the International Organization for Standardization, which was aimed at helping to curb gun violence. The three decided to suspend the project this week, according to Bloomberg, after previously expressing growing skepticism over the idea.

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“There are bills advancing in several states related to the use of this new code. If passed, the result will be an inconsistency in how this ISO standard could be applied by merchants, issuers, acquirers, and networks,” a spokesman for Mastercard told the outlet. “It’s for that reason that we have decided to pause work on the implementation of the firearms-specific [merchant category code].”

Discover gave its reason for abandoning the code as “to continue alignment and interoperability with the industry.”

Aside from being criticized by 2nd Amendment activists, the payment networks expressed concern over the fact that a distinction couldn't be made between the purchase of different types of weapons, such as pistols or assault rifles. Republican lawmakers threatened to sue the credit card companies, with some introducing legislation aimed at banning the practice in Florida and Mississippi.

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“[Suspicious Activity Reports] are specifically required by law and came about through a considered balancing of public safety and personal privacy,” more than two dozen attorneys general said in a September letter decrying the code. “Activists pressured the ISO to adopt this policy as a means of circumventing and undermining the American legislative process. The new merchant category code will chill the exercise of a constitutional right without any concomitant benefit.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to Visa and Mastercard for further comment.