June 3, 2025

NSSF Welcomes Citigroup’s Reversal on Discrimination Against Firearm Industry

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, welcomes Citigroup’s decision to reverse its policy of discriminating against members of the firearm and ammunition industry and once again open banking services to this manufacturing, wholesale and retailer segment.

“NSSF is grateful that Citigroup’s leadership recognized that no one wants to promote safe and responsible firearm ownership more than those of us within the firearm industry. We are encouraged by the decision for Citigroup to resume providing financial services to members of our industry and the opportunity to work together to promote real solutions for safer communities, while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens,” said NSSF’s Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “This has been a hard-fought battle to ensure the firearm industry has access to the financial services necessary to compete in today’s market.”

Keane added that while the announcement was welcomed, the proof will be realized when members of the firearm industry are once again able to access financial services through Citigroup.

“We are guardedly optimistic, yet adhere to the proverb of ‘trust, but verify,’” Keane explained. “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.”

NSSF has been a leader in changing laws in the states and working with Congress to end the unfair discriminatory practices by corporate banks, including Citigroup, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo. NSSF was successful in passing the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act in 11 states, which prohibits state agencies and local government entities from entering into contracts with corporations that discriminate against the firearm industry. Citigroup was found to be in violation of the Texas FIND Act, enacted in 2021, and the bank was barred from competing to underwrite $3.4 billion in state bonds.

Similar legislation is pending in Congress. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced S. 137, and U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) introduced H.R. 45, both titled the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act.

NSSF has also worked closely with Congress to advance the Fair Access to Banking Act, introduced by Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) as S. 401, and Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) introduced H. R. 987 under the same title. The Fair Access to Banking Act would stop corporate banks from picking winners and losers based on executives’ personal politics. The legislation also protects banks from outside pressure by special interest groups seeking to use the banks as a weapon to advance their political agenda.

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About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

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Media contact:
Mark Oliva
202-220-1340

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