"GOP split as banks take on gun industry"

I just read an interesting piece in Politico about how banks are taking on the gun industry in the wake of the Parkland shooting. In the past month, both Citigroup and Bank of America announced they would limit their business with gun manufacturers--especially those making military-grade weapons for the civilian market. The banks cited frustration over legislative inaction as one of their motives for supporting gun control.

Republicans disagree over how to treat the banks' new restrictions; some believe the government must respect the free-market and thus the decisions of a private business, while others argue that banks should not take a political stance on such a contentious topic. In an interview, Sen. John Kennedy said, "Frankly, [the banks] ought to stay out of Congress' politics. That's our job to legislate with respect to the Second Amendment, and the United States Supreme Court's job to interpret the Constitution. I would be offended by it if they came out in support of the Second Amendment. If they want to be involved in politics, the CEO ought to quit and run for Congress."

I think it is interesting how private institutions can influence policy through their own business practices. With increased gridlock and a Congress that does not effectively check the president, I am curious to see what new political tactics private corporations will use over the next several years. If this article is any indication, we can expect to see corporations strengthen their political stances with concrete business policies.