It's not just the NRA and Republican lawmakers. Blame gun manufacturers, too.

By Laura Clawson 
Thursday Mar 08, 2018 · 1:28 PM EST

The movement for stronger gun laws has focused on lawmakers and the lobbying power of the National Rifle Association. But, Nick Wing and Erin Schumaker ask at HuffPost, what about the gun manufacturers? Why aren’t they coming under more pressure? After all, we’re talking about a high class of evil:

“Before we open the call for questions, I want to conclude our remarks by commenting on the horrific tragedy in Parkland, Florida,” said James Debney, CEO of Smith & Wesson, during a March 1 earnings call with investment analysts and stockholders. [...]

“We share the nation’s grief over this incomprehensible and senseless loss of lives,” Debney said.

Then it was on to business.

“The only report that we’ve heard are of some increased foot traffic in firearms resellers and that is translating into some level of increased sales,” Debney added, responding to a question about how the Parkland shooting was affecting the company’s bottom line.

Then again, while we should remember that the gun manufacturers exist and resist change, the relationship between the companies and the NRA and the lawmakers is such that changing the laws or diminishing the NRA’s power—or, ideally, both—will do more to rein in the manufacturers than targeting them directly:

Congress has also played a role in the wildly successful commercialization of guns. In 2005, lawmakers passed legislation protecting firearms manufacturers and dealers from liability in most cases of negligence or when crimes are committed with their products. This protection has allowed gun companies to expand rapidly without any fear of legal ramifications, said John Rosenthal, founder of the Massachusetts-based nonprofit, Stop Handgun Violence. [...]

Previous firearm executives have shown a willingness to engage on these issues  ? and faced serious repercussions. In 2000, the CEO of Smith & Wesson agreed to pursue safety initiatives, including child-safe triggers and “smart gun” technology. The NRA and its allies responded by organizing an aggressive boycott of the gunmaker, sending the company’s value plummeting and ultimately leading to the CEO’s ouster.

Congress, the NRA, the gun manufacturers … they all need to change. And it won’t happen if we don’t force them.

Source
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/8/1747480/-It-s-not-just-the-NRA-and-Republican-lawmakers-Blame-gun-manufacturers-too and ultimately leading to the CEO’s ouster.