Gunmerica, Corporate Citizen Edition

Republicans constantly blocking gun safety and background check laws are starting to get the attention of corporate America, with 145 CEOs signing on to a letter demanding GOP Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell act on pending House legislation passed by Nancy Pelosi and House Dems.

Signatories to a letter sent Thursday include the heads of such major retailers, tech firms and financial institutions as Levi Strauss, Twitter, Uber, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Yelp, Bain Capital and Reddit. The letter pointed to mass shootings in recent weeks — including those in El Paso; Dayton, Ohio, and Gilroy, Calif. — but also called out a broader epidemic of gun violence that kills 100 Americans each day and wounds hundreds more.

“As leaders of some of America’s most respected companies and those with significant business interests in the United States, we are writing to you because we have a responsibility and obligation to stand up for the safety of our employees, customers and all Americans in the communities we serve across the country,” the executives wrote.

“Doing nothing about America’s gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety."

[Read the letter here]

Corporate America has increasingly weighed in on — or been forced to reckon with — pressing social and political issues such as immigration and abortion. With regard to gun violence, companies in the retail and banking sectors have considered whether to overhaul their policies or distance themselves from the vast firearms industry. Gun sellers have come under acute pressure to limit the weapons sales, especially since 24 people were killed at two separate shootings in Walmart stores this summer.

A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll found Americans across party and demographic lines overwhelmingly support expanded background checks for gun buyers and allowing law enforcement to temporarily seize weapons from troubled individuals. The poll found 86 percent of Americans support implementing “red flag” provisions that allow guns to be taken from people judged to be a danger to themselves or others. In addition, 89 percent support expanding federal background checks to cover private sales and gun-show transactions.

Still, some companies have faced backlash after changing their gun policies or speaking out on the issue. Sales at Dick’s Sporting Goods declined after the company overhauled its sales rules following the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., last year, with some customers calling for a boycott and dozens of employees walking off the job. More recently, as Walmart came under scrutiny after two of its stores became crime scenes, the National Rifle Association and gun rights groups encouraged members to stop shopping at retailers that tightened their open carry policies.

Specifically, Thursday’s letter urged the Senate to pass a bill requiring background checks on all gun sales plus a strong red-flag law that would allow courts to issue extreme-risk protection orders. Earlier this year, the Democratic House passed legislation that would require background checks on all gun sales, including unlicensed sales arranged at gun shows or online. But similar efforts have stalled in the Senate.

Walmart didn't sign this particular letter, but this is still a pretty big array of CEOs across multiple sectors of the economy.  I don't know how much this will affect the Senate, probably zero, but it would have far more effect if any of these companies stopped giving money to Republican Senate candidates.

Nothing will come of this, of course, but it remains notable.