In a bold stance against gun violence, the CEO of a major sporting goods retailer has revealed that his company destroyed $5 million worth of AR-15 rifles after ceasing sales of the controversial firearm. Following the tragic events at the Parkland school in 2018, where a mass shooting claimed numerous lives, the CEO, Ryan Smith, made the decision to stop selling the AR-15s and to take further action by destroying the inventory that had already been acquired.
Smith, who had been reflecting on the role of his company in the gun sales industry since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, expressed his frustration over the lack of common sense regulations such as background checks for gun buyers. “It’s just absurd,” he stated in a recent interview. After Sandy Hook, he had already taken steps to remove AR-15s from the shelves, but the Parkland incident hit closer to home. “We discovered that we had sold a shotgun to the shooter, and that was the tipping point for me,” he explained, indicating his wish to prevent firearms from potentially causing further harm.
Understanding the Impact of Gun Violence
In response to these concerns, Smith and his wife visited survivors of the Parkland shooting to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of gun violence. As a result, the company implemented a policy prohibiting the sale of firearms to anyone under 21 years old, a decision that cost them an estimated $250,000. Faced with the question of how to handle their stock of AR-15s, Smith concluded, “If we truly believe these weapons should not be on the streets, then we need to eliminate them.” And so, the company turned these rifles into scrap metal.
A Broader Movement Among Corporations
This decisive action is part of a broader trend among corporations taking a stand where lawmakers have been inactive. In recent months, nearly 150 business leaders have signed a letter urging Congress to address gun violence, while retailers like Walmart and Walgreens have requested customers to refrain from openly carrying firearms in their stores.
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Conclusion
In summary, the CEO’s actions in destroying $5 million worth of AR-15s highlight a growing movement among corporations to address gun violence in the U.S. where legislative measures have stalled. This significant decision reflects a commitment to safety and responsibility in the face of ongoing national tragedies.