Louisiana Bans BofA, Citi from Bond Sale Over Gun Policies

"Citi adopted this policy because we believe it is a positive and balanced step to promote gun safety without undermining free markets or Second Amendment rights," spokesman Scott Helfman said in an emailed statement. "It is disappointing that the taxpayers of Louisiana will be deprived from competitive bidding for necessary public works because the process has been politicized."

Bill Halldin, a spokesman for Bank of America, declined to comment.

The ban applies to a $600 million bond deal, according to The Advocate, a newspaper in the state.

The decision by Louisiana comes after Bank of America in April said it would stop making new loans to companies that make military-style rifles for civilian use. At the time, the bank said at least 150 of its employees had been affected by gun violence over the years.

Citigroup was the first major banking institution to set restrictions on the firearm industry in March, when it announced plans to prohibit retailers that are customers of the bank from offering bump stocks or selling guns to people who haven't passed a background check or are younger than 21. The restrictions applied to companies that rely on the bank for store credit cards, lending and other services.