|
John, did you see the news this week? Families of Sandy Hook victims were able to reach a history-making $73 million settlement with U.S. gun manufacturer Remington. Personally, I know how winning a “victory” like this can feel. A measure of justice has been done, but survivors of gun violence know that nothing – money, guilty verdicts, settlements – can ever replace our family members that we’ve lost. Nevertheless, these nine families just won what the media is calling a “significant setback to the firearms industry” that may set the stage for other victims of gun violence around the country to win damages from gun manufacturers. John, this shows that our gun safety movement is winning, but we absolutely can not underestimate what the gun industry will try next to stop us. If you’ve saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:
Here’s a bit more about why this news is such a big moment for our movement. The families that won this case were able to work around existing federal protections for gun manufacturers by challenging an essential part of our “gun culture” – the way that gun manufacturers market their products. As you know, these companies commonly use marketing tactics that reference macho culture, masculinity, liberty, and patriotism. At the time of the Sandy Hook shooting, Remington was marketing the Bushmaster AR-15 to young men with the tagline, “Consider your man card reissued.” This settlement sends an important message to gun companies – even with their existing legal protections: We can and we will hold gun manufacturers accountable for gun violence – and for their thirst for profits at the expense of human lives when they aggressively market and sell assault weapons to civilians. Thank you for being part of this movement. Because of your support, we are closer than ever to ending gun violence for good. - Lucy McBath
|