Citigroup's Bold Reversal: Ending Controversial Firearm Policies Amidst Fair Banking Debates

In a significant move stirring up discussions around fair banking practices and Second Amendment rights, Citigroup has announced the reversal of its controversial policy regarding firearm sales.

Effective March 2018, the financial institution imposed restrictions on retail business clients, limiting their ability to sell guns to individuals who had not passed background checks and barring sales to those under 2

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This policy shift comes at a time when debates around firearm regulations and financial services are intensifying, prompting various reactions from advocacy groups and industry stakeholders.

Key Takeaways

• Citigroup has reversed its controversial firearm sales policy, eliminating restrictions on clients selling guns.
• The decision comes amid pressures for fair banking access and political influences related to gun rights.
• Reactions to the policy change are mixed, with advocacy groups criticizing it while industry stakeholders welcome it.

Overview of Citigroup's Policy Reversal

In a significant policy reversal, Citigroup has announced that it will no longer impose restrictions on its retail business clients regarding the sale of firearms, particularly to individuals who have not passed background checks.

This change, communicated in a statement released on June 3, 2025, comes after a review of existing policies in light of recent executive orders and federal legislation impacting access to financial services related to firearms.

Originally instituted in March 2018, Citigroup's policy had barred retail clients from selling not only firearms to individuals under 21 but also components like high-capacity magazines and bump stocks.

The decision to lift these restrictions reflects a growing concern about fair access to banking services and aligns with a broader legislative context driven by the current administration’s stance on Second Amendment rights.

This policy change has met a mixed reaction; while the firearms industry has welcomed the decision, activists such as March For Our Lives have criticized it as prioritizing corporate interests over community safety.

Citigroup has indicated that it will amend its employee Code of Conduct to affirm its non-discrimination stance, emphasizing a commitment to political impartiality alongside the protection of constitutional rights.

Reactions from Advocacy Groups and Industry Stakeholders

In recent developments, Citigroup made headlines by reversing its controversial firearm policy, which mandated retail clients to avoid selling firearms to individuals who had not passed background checks.

This shift in policy, announced in a June 3 statement, highlights the bank's response to increasing discourse around fair access to banking services amid changing political climates.

Initially instituted in March 2018 following the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, the original policy restricted not only the sale of firearms but also high-capacity magazines and bump stocks.

In the wake of new executive orders and federal legislation from the Trump administration, Citigroup now emphasizes a commitment to 'fair and unbiased access' to its services, reflecting concerns about potential discrimination based on political affiliation.

Responses to this policy reversal were sharply divided; advocacy group March For Our Lives condemned it as a 'shameful decision,' while the Firearms Industry Trade Association welcomed the change.

With calls from organizations like the National Rifle Association urging lawmakers to pass the Fair Access to Banking Act, the ongoing debate regarding the intersection of banking practices, political beliefs, and Second Amendment rights continues to spark significant conversations within both the financial industry and the public.