WalmartMustAct.org / #WalmartMustAct
September 6, 2019

An open letter to American employers:
We represent millions of Americans -- workers and customers across the country -- disgusted by
Congressional inaction to reduce gun violence. After the recent mass shootings in Ohio and Texas, we have
been reminded of the painfully high cost we all pay and the toll gun violence takes on our families, friends,
communities, and neighbors.
If Congress won’t act, it’s time that you do.
Over the last several years, our nation’s largest employers have taken significant steps to disentangle
themselves from the NRA and, in some cases, American employers are already doing more than Congress to
keep us safe from gun violence.
Now, we’re calling on you to do more.
In fact, in light of repeated and prolonged federal inaction, large American employers have an opportunity and
a responsibility to their workers, customers, and communities to do everything they can to keep us safe from
the estimated 393,000,000 firearms in civilian hands.
That’s why, in the aftermath of the El Paso shooting, we came together to urge Walmart to lean into gun
reform. And why we’re glad to see that the largest retailer in America will dramatically step back from gun and
ammunition sales and join the strong and growing majority of Americans who know that we have too many
guns in our country and they are too easy to get.
Walmart’s actions established a higher standard for corporate responsibility in the gun reform arena and we’re
glad that Kroger, Walgreens, Wegmans, and CVS have also moved in the right direction. But we believe that
every major American employer has a moral and patriotic duty to go even further.
Gun deaths ​have reached their highest level​ in decades. There are 40,000 gun deaths in the United States,
including 12,000 gun murders per year in the U.S. -- most of them young black and Latino men. Women, who
represent the primary shoppers of American households, are also disproportionately impacted by gun violence.
554 American women are shot and killed ​by their romantic partners every single year, on average—a death
every sixteen hours.
Therefore, it’s crucial for American employers to do everything in their power to help lead on this issue.
In 2019, it is no longer acceptable for companies that have benefited from the fruits of American society to sit
on the sidelines.
The Walmart Must Act Coalition
Guns Down America, Color of Change, March For Our Lives, AFT, Women’s March, MoveOn, People For The American Way, Orange Ribbons For
Jaime, Moms Rising
Contact information:​ ​coalition@walmartmustact.org

 As Congress comes back into session, American employers have an obligation to use their political leverage
and clout to actively lobby lawmakers to pass gun reforms. They must also:
1. Break any financial or business ties​ with the gun industry and organizations that stand in the way of
gun reform and ban the open carry of firearms in their place of business.
2. Stop making political donations to NRA-backed lawmakers and politicians​ who are actively
opposing gun reform and advancing policies that only increase the risk of gun violence in our
communities and places of business.
3. Invest in the communities they serve​ by funding locally-run gun violence intervention programs, gun
buybacks, and other initiatives to help prevent and reduce gun deaths.
These steps will not only reduce our gun violence epidemic. They will also help advance cultural change and
break the political logjam we face.
Gun safety is also good for business. ​Polling​ over the last few years has shown that the overwhelming majority
of Americans -- and gun owners -- support gun licensing and registration and even buybacks. And when it
comes to public policy, ​76 percent of people​ agree CEOs should take the lead on change rather than waiting
for the government to impose change.
In August, t​he ​Washington Post​ reported​ same-store earnings were up at Dicks after it reduced gun sales.
After Walmart and Kroeger led on guns, the market responded and ​their shares went up​. Companies that lead
on gun safety while Congress delays will be helping to create safer communities and better bottom lines.
Over the coming weeks and months our coalition and our millions of supporters across the country will
continue to push American businesses to do the right thing and take an active role in the fight for our lives.
Please join us.

The Walmart Must Act Coalition
Guns Down America, Color of Change, March For Our Lives, AFT, Women’s March, MoveOn, People For The American Way, Orange Ribbons For
Jaime, Moms Rising
Contact information:​ ​coalition@walmartmustact.org