In a move that’s already making waves in the gun rights community, Citigroup has quietly ended its controversial 2018 anti-gun policy, according to reporting by Taylor Rhodes of the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR). The policy reversal means the banking giant will no longer require clients in the firearms industry to adhere to stricter gun control standards than federal law demands. This includes no longer pressuring companies to ban bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, or sales to individuals under 21.
Liberty Doll, a well-known Second Amendment YouTuber, echoed the significance of this reversal in her recent video. She called it “a step in the right direction,” though she remained skeptical of Citigroup’s motives. According to her, this wasn’t about principle – it was about political pressure and potential financial fallout.
How It Started: Citigroup’s 2018 Firearms Policy
Back in March 2018, Citigroup took a hard stance on firearms. As Rhodes explained, the bank imposed new conditions on its business partners, requiring them to enforce age restrictions, universal background checks, and bans on certain accessories like bump stocks and “high-capacity” magazines. While it didn’t fully blacklist the firearms industry, the move sidelined a large number of legal, law-abiding businesses simply for selling constitutionally protected products.
Liberty Doll offered more context, pointing out that this came in the wake of the Parkland shooting and was clearly aimed at appeasing gun control activists. She quoted from Citigroup’s own press release at the time, which claimed the policy was meant to “do our part” in preventing guns from falling into “the wrong hands.” But as she rightfully noted, enforcing gun laws isn’t a bank’s job – it’s the government’s. And even then, law-abiding dealers already follow strict background check protocols.
The Political and Legal Pressures Build
So why the sudden change in 2025? According to Rhodes, Citigroup’s backtrack appears to be the result of growing legal and political pressure. Several states, including Texas and Florida, passed legislation targeting banks that discriminated against the gun industry. Texas SB 19, for example, barred state agencies from working with companies that boycott firearms businesses.
These state-level responses weren’t just symbolic – they had real financial consequences. Liberty Doll emphasized that Citigroup lost out on billions in potential public contracts. That money matters, even to a financial behemoth. She added that Republican-led states had simply flipped the script, using the same pressure tactics once favored by the gun control lobby to defend the Second Amendment instead.
OCC’s Fair Access Proposal and Trump-Era Influence
Another major factor in Citigroup’s reversal is the Fair Access Rule, first proposed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in 2020. The rule warns banks not to deny services based on ideological viewpoints. Rhodes pointed out that this regulation was reintroduced under later administrations and has since become a key legal tool for pro-gun advocates.
Interestingly, Liberty Doll credited part of this reversal to former President Trump’s influence at the World Economic Forum, where he reportedly raised concerns about “debanking.” She didn’t mince words: Citigroup likely bowed to pressure from high places. She warned viewers that while this is a win, it’s fragile. If political winds shift again, banks could quietly bring these policies back.
Citigroup’s Statement Avoids Accountability
In its formal announcement titled Reinforcing Our Commitment to Fair Access to Financial Services, Citigroup avoided any acknowledgment of wrongdoing. It claimed the 2018 policy had simply been “risk management,” not political. Rhodes noted that the bank didn’t issue an apology or offer compensation to any businesses it harmed.
This lack of remorse didn’t go unnoticed by Liberty Doll either. She mocked the bank’s sudden concern for “fair access” and pointed out that Citigroup had no issue funding international arms deals but somehow felt American gun dealers were too risky. The hypocrisy, she said, was blatant and insulting.
The Impact of Public Outrage and Legal Action
According to Rhodes, groups like NAGR, along with thousands of gun owners and influencers, have kept the pressure on Citigroup through public campaigns, legal threats, and legislative lobbying. They made it clear that discriminating against gun owners and businesses isn’t just a bad look – it’s a liability. This, Rhodes argued, is a major win for free market fairness and Second Amendment rights.
Liberty Doll added that much of this pushback originated from ordinary Americans. She urged viewers to stay alert, reminding them that banks are private entities and can change policies again at any time. The fight, she said, isn’t over – it’s just paused.
Operation Choke Point 2.0 and Corporate Activism
Both sources linked Citigroup’s policy to what gun rights advocates have called “Operation Choke Point 2.0” – an informal campaign to pressure banks and financial services into cutting off politically disfavored industries. Rhodes emphasized that this tactic was used not only against firearms businesses but also crypto companies and conservative media.
Liberty Doll explained how these corporate moves essentially allow activists to legislate through the back door, bypassing Congress entirely. When laws fail to pass, pressure campaigns are launched against financial gatekeepers. It’s not democratic, and it’s not how America is supposed to work.
Why This Reversal Matters
What fascinates me about this whole situation is that a major bank, a pillar of corporate America, blinked. Citigroup isn’t some small regional credit union. It’s the third-largest bank in the country. If a few state laws and some persistent activism can make them reverse course, it shows just how much power the public still has, even against institutions with trillions in assets.
This story also exposes how deep the cultural divide over gun rights really is. One side wants to legislate morality through boardroom policies. The other demands constitutional respect. Citigroup’s walk-back isn’t just a policy change – it’s a sign that the culture war is spilling into finance, and the battlefield is far from settled.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
Rhodes warned that Citigroup’s next steps must be closely watched. Will they actually offer fair access to firearm-related businesses? Or will they find new ways to exclude them under different labels? NAGR plans to monitor them closely and take action if the bank reverts to discrimination.
Liberty Doll echoed this concern, reminding her viewers that policies like these can return under a different name when public attention fades. She said that ongoing vigilance and grassroots activism are the only real ways to keep these corporations in check.
A Message to Gun Owners and Businesses
Rhodes closed her article by urging gun owners and industry professionals to speak out. If they’ve been denied loans, de-banked, or blacklisted because of their work, they should contact NAGR and share their stories. Every voice helps expose the corporate war on gun rights and keeps momentum alive.
Liberty Doll also called for continued engagement. Whether it’s watching corporate policy changes, contacting elected officials, or simply staying informed, she told her viewers that Second Amendment rights won’t defend themselves. This win is just one battle in a much bigger war.
A Small Win with Big Implications
Citigroup’s reversal may not come with an apology or a grand announcement, but it’s meaningful. It proves that financial discrimination isn’t just unethical – it’s unstable. And when enough people push back, even the most powerful players can fold. Whether it’s pressure from Trump, red-state legislation, or relentless grassroots activism, the message is clear: American citizens are watching – and they’re not going to be silent anymore.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.