Corporates and guns

Big businesses rarely take courageous stands on hot-button issues that could impact profits. That is why it is worth noting the changes implemented by several Fortune 500 companies following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people and injured 17 others.

Citigroup, the giant Wall Street bank, said it would no longer do business with companies that sell bump stocks and high-capacity magazines or sell guns to anyone under 21. Dick’s Sporting Goods said it would no longer sell assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. Walmart, the biggest gun seller in the country, took somewhat similar steps, including stopping the sale of toy and air guns. A number of other companies, including Delta Air Lines, Hertz and MetLife, disassociated themselves from the National Rifle Association, which has played the leading role in keeping many state and federal lawmakers from passing common-sense gun laws that many of its members support. Similar pressure is being applied to large investors who own shares in companies that manufacture and sell guns. Lawmakers in several states, including New Jersey, are moving to restrict employee pension funds from investing in gun makers.

Sustaining the effort to implement common-sense gun measures will only come about through more pressure on corporate America and the voting booth.