{"id":2442666,"date":"2025-06-04T09:08:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T13:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/citigroup-flips-on-gun-policy-industry-skeptical\/"},"modified":"2025-06-04T09:10:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T13:10:21","slug":"citigroup-flips-on-gun-policy-industry-skeptical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/citigroup-flips-on-gun-policy-industry-skeptical\/","title":{"rendered":"Citigroup flips on gun policy, industry skeptical"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcitigroup-flips-on-gun-policy-industry-skeptical%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2442666&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Citigroup has recently changed its stance on gun policy, lifting restrictions that previously limited financial services for firearms sellers.This decision comes several years after the bank, alongside others, implemented measures following the 2018 Parkland school shooting, which aimed to restrict services to businesses selling firearms to individuals under 21 or those <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-school-district-changes-hiring-policy-to-consider-applicants-with-criminal-history-report\/\" title=\"Iowa School District Changes Hiring ... To Consider Applicants With Criminal History: Report\">failing background checks<\/a>, as well as those selling certain accessories like bump stocks and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-gun-policies-concern-second-amendment-advocates\/\" title=\"Biden gun policies concern Second Amendment advocates\">high-capacity magazines<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Citigroup&#8217;s spokesperson stated that the past policy was intended to encourage best practices in sales management rather than to target firearms manufacturing. The firearms industry, while cautiously optimistic about this reversal, has expressed skepticism. The national Shooting Sports Foundation remarked on the need for assurance that these changes are not just superficial. Similarly, the National Rifle Association welcomed the news as a positive step but emphasized the continuation of legislative efforts to prevent financial discrimination against gun sellers.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >initial restrictions faced criticism<\/a>, with opponents arguing they represented a form of &#8220;debanking&#8221; aimed at undermining the gun industry. Advocacy groups have as pushed for legislation that protects firearm-related businesses from such banking discrimination.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Citigroup flips on gun policy, industry skeptical<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2114992\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Several years after major bankers put onerous restrictions on firearms sellers, essentially cutting many off from financial services, Citigroup reversed course this week, claiming most in the gun industry are playing by its rules.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, Citigroup spokesman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citigroup.com\/global\/news\/perspective\/2025\/reinforcing-our-commitment-to-fair-access-to-financial-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Edward Skyler said<\/a>, &ldquo;The policy was intended to promote the adoption of best sales practices as prudent risk management and didn&rsquo;t address the manufacturing of firearms. Many retailers have been following these best practices, and we hope communities and lawmakers will continue to seek out ways to prevent the tragic consequences of gun violence.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3430343\/number-of-sanctuaries-illegal-immigrants-triples\/\">Number of &lsquo;sanctuaries&rsquo; for illegal immigrants triples, spread to 47 states<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3429755\/k-street-trump-lobbying-firm-david-bernhardt\/\">K Street gets a Trump &lsquo;fluent&rsquo; lobbying firm<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3429425\/d-day-anniversary-auction-eisenhower-nazi-germany\/\">Rarest V-E Day artifacts at auction, highlighting D-Day anniversary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The elimination of gun-focused rules from its banking policies comes seven years after Citigroup and several other banks placed restrictions on their clients that sold firearms following the 2018 mass school shooting in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/2935527\/parents-of-parkland-victims-blast-kamala-harris-for-photo-op-at-shooting-site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Parkland, Florida<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The firearms industry, which has fought the restrictions, offered cautious praise to Citigroup on Tuesday and Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Trust, but verify,&rdquo; said the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nssf.org\/articles\/nssf-welcomes-citigroups-reversal-on-discrimination-against-firearm-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">National Shooting Sports Foundation<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mark-kelly-voted-for-15-wage-he-served-on-the-board-of-a-company-that-fought-against-min-wage-law\/\" title=\"Mark Kelly Voted for  Wage. He Served on the Board of a Company That Fought Against Min. Wage Law.\">industry trade group<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are guardedly optimistic,&rdquo; said NSSF&rsquo;s Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel. &ldquo;We will see if this is a substantive change in policy or just a superficial change while Citigroup continues to discriminate in private beyond closed doors, where it is harder for the public to detect.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The National Rifle Association called it &ldquo;a great first step&rdquo; but pledged to continue pushing for national legislation that would block banks from discriminating against gun sellers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The NRA welcomes the news that Citigroup has rescinded its discriminatory debanking policies targeting gun manufacturers and dealers. Citigroup and other banks were pressured by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-condemns-d-c-demonstrators-despite-past-encouragement-of-violent-blm-mobs\/\" title=\"Kamala Harris condemns D.C. demonstrators despite past encouragement of violent BLM mobs\">left-wing activists<\/a> to implement these measures in an attempt to restrict the lawful sale of firearms,&rdquo; said chief NRA lobbyist John Commerford, executive director of the group&rsquo;s Institute for Legislative Action.<\/p>\n<p>Several big banks responded to the Parkland shooting by placing restrictions on gun sellers that many decried as discriminatory.<\/p>\n<p>Citigroup, for example, banned its services from businesses that sold firearms to those under 21 or didn&rsquo;t pass a background check. It also wouldn&rsquo;t work with sellers that sold bump stocks or commonly used high-capacity magazines.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SEE THE LATEST POLITICAL NEWS AND BUZZ FROM WASHINGTON SECRETS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Conservatives and Trump supporters said that in &ldquo;debanking&rdquo; the industry, financial companies were teaming with the Left in trying to kill the gun industry.<\/p>\n<p>Groups such as NSSF and the NRA fought back in states, winning passage of laws banning banking discrimination against &ldquo;constitutionally protected industries.&rdquo; A similar proposal is moving through Congress.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2114992\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2114992\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Citigroup changes gun policy; industry remains cautious<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2647,"featured_media":2442667,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Citi-Parkland-Gun-scaled-1024x696.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[18351,10680,56499],"class_list":["post-2442666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-citigroup","tag-finance","tag-gun-policy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Citi-Parkland-Gun-scaled-1024x696.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442666","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2647"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2442666"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442666\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2442670,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442666\/revisions\/2442670"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2442667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2442666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2442666"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2442666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}