Gun Safety
NWCRI Shareholders Address Gun Safety with Gun Manufacturers and Retailers
The prophet Isaiah says, “And a little child shall lead them.” Following on the tragedy in Parkland, Florida students are leading the U.S. in addressing the epidemic of gun violence. As one of the high school organizers wrote in a CNN op-ed, “And so, I’m asking—no demanding—that we take action now.”
Six years ago faith based shareholders, concerned over escalating gun violence in the U.S, purchased stock in gun manufacturers Sturm Ruger and Smith & Wesson, and gun retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods, so that we could dialogue with the companies about what they are doing to ensure the safety of children and communities whose lives may be at risk because of their products. In December 2017 and January 2018 we filed shareholder resolutions requesting a report on these companies’ gun safety measures.
NWCRI and ICCR members involved in this effort represent Catholic Sisters, who for almost 300 years, have educated our children in the safety of our schools and cared for the sick and injured in our hospitals.
Investor Action on Gun Violence
While the business case for companies to reduce their exposure to gun violence is clear, for ICCR investors and their colleagues the moral case for action grows more urgent each day. We therefore ask companies to carefully reflect on how their operations, business relationships, supply chain policies, marketing practices and public voices might be used to counter gun violence and foster safer communities.
ICCR Statement on Gun Violence
In light of continuing gun violence and mass shootings in the U.S. involving semi-automatic assault weapons, the undersigned [142] investors representing $634 billion in assets are calling on gun manufacturers, retailers and distributors, as well as companies with financial ties to these industries, to review their operations, supply chains and policies and take meaningful action on this public safety concern. Read more…
Smith & Wesson
Sturm Ruger
Withhold Support from Directors
Media coverage shows the industry is listening:
September 30, 2018
How a Seattle nun lead a shareholder revolt against gun makers
September 25, 2018
Smith & Wesson loses fight with nuns on gun safety proposal
Smith & Wesson shareholders vote in favor of issuing report on gun violence, safety
‘We need everyone involved:’ activist nuns pressure Smith & Wesson over gun safety
September 24, 2018
Police chiefs, clergy to gunmaker: cut shootings by making guns safer [Opinion]
May 18, 2018
KIRO 7 News: Seattle nun takes on gun manufacturers by buying stock
May 16, 2018
Seattle Times: Meet the Seattle nun who infiltrated a gun company
May 9, 2018
NY Times: Sturm Ruger Shareholders Adopt Measure Backed by Gun Safety Activists
May 3, 2018
The Hill: Dick’s Sporting Goods hires lobbyists on gun control
April 10, 2018
The Hill: Bank of America to stop lending to military-style weapons makers
April 5, 2018
NY Times: This gun maker wanted safe guns
March 1, 2018
CNBC: Kroger stops selling guns to buyers under 21 at Fred Meyer stores
February 28, 2018
The Hill: Walmart to raise age limit on gun purchases