Exclusive: Republicans, NRA secretly pressure Citigroup to back off restrictions on gun sellers

Senate Democrats, gun safety groups investigate apparent NRA campaign to undo Citigroup’s gun-sales rules.

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Image Credit: Salon

After the February school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that ended the lives of 17 people, a number of corporations took high-profile measures to reduce their own participation in the underregulated gun market. Dick’s Sporting Goods stopped selling assault weapons. Both MetLife and Delta Air Lines ended discount programs for NRA members. Citigroup announced new restrictions on its business banking customers in March. For clients who sell guns, Citigroup requires background checks on all sales, a ban on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines and a ban on sales to those under 21.

There’s nothing unusual about a bank placing these kinds of restrictions on clients, but it now appears Citigroup has been subject to retaliation from Republicans and pro-gun activists. Gun safety advocates are trying to find out exactly how much pressure the National Rifle Association has exerted on Republicans to bully Citigroup out of sticking by its new gun-sale policies.

Continue reading at Salon.com.

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