“We give a shoutout to Citigroup and all the other responsible businesses that have been more responsible than Congress in taking steps to prevent gun violence,” Kris Brown, the group’s co-president, said in an emailed statement.
Congress, for the first time in years, plans to vote on gun control legislation as part of a larger spending bill. If passed, the measure would bolster the background check system for gun purchases and potentially open the door for firearms related research funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Walmart Inc. and Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. said they will no longer sell guns to those under the age of 21 and Dick’s dropped the sale of assault-style rifles entirely. Orvis, an outdoor goods company, said customers will either need to be 21 or show proof of a hunter education and safety course to purchase a firearm.
Several companies have cut ties with the National Rifle Association, the gun industry lobby, in the last month. YouTube announced tighter restrictions on videos involving firearms on Monday, and Reddit on Wednesday banned a variety of communities related to the sale of guns.
Wells Fargo & Co., which has a long-standing relationship with the NRA, thinks addressing the gun epidemic will be complicated and is better left to lawmakers.
“Our company believes the best way to make progress on these issues is through the political and legislative process,” said Alan Elias, a spokesman for the bank. “We are engaging our customers that legally manufacture firearms and other stakeholders on what we can do together to promote better gun safety for our communities.”
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.