Here’s The Truth About Corporations Getting ‘Woke’ On Guns.
In the weeks since the Parkland, Florida, shooting, we have seen more movement on gun control than we’ve had in years. The only problem ― if you think fewer guns is a good thing ― is that it has all come from the private sector.
Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Kroger announced they would no longer sell firearms to kids under 21. REI cut one of its suppliers for failing to produce a “clear plan of action” on guns. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, said it was considering “gun-free investment funds.”
Takes on corporate America’s newfound social conscience have ranged from optimistic (“Let’s hope this creates the tipping point ”) to cynical (“ corporatist elites trying to get free marketing by virtue signaling ”) to galactic (“Serious gun owners would never buy a weapon from a retail clerk in a Dick’s ”) . But they’re all missing the point.
Companies are taking a stand because they think it’s good business
The cynics are right about one thing: Companies are taking a position on gun control because it’s easy. From Nike sweatshops to Walmart wages to Exxon Mobil land grabs, most of our campaigns against companies demand that they change fundamental aspects of their business model: Inspect your factories. Unionize your workers. Stop buying diamonds from dictatorships.
Sure, private sector actions, from Nike pledging to ban sweatshops in the 1990s to 68 corporations publicly slamming North Carolina for passing an anti-trans bathroom bill, can be a part of huge policy and cultural shifts.
But “woke corporation” is an oxymoron. Companies exist to make money, and the ones changing their minds now have decided they will make more of it by supporting gun control.
I think we're going to have to wait for the courts to weigh in on this. The issue IMO is that age requirements are already regulated at the state level, as they should be. If these companies were serious about this, they would stop selling guns completely, would they not?
I think that's exactly what is going on , free advertisement for them as long as they are in the news , and the news is good at the moment .
what will be telling is if the raising of the age as a policy stands due to differing state laws, which generally follow the federal law of 18.
if a state doesn't raise their age , then that leaves the doors open in all those states for lawsuits , so what will they( the corps) do ? either stop selling all together , or buckle under and allow 18 year olds to purchase a legal product. Time will tell , the administration is already , less than a month later , backing off of raising the age to 21, what I do see happening is certain firearms being determined of a different class , thus needing a higher age to purchase( but not posess).
How do you think persons aged 15-17 get firearms now for legal pursuits such as hunting? their parents have to make the purchase , and once they do it is gifted to them ( the underaged for purchase) for their use.
Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods are also being sued for denying people their constitutional right.
Banning and restricting guns won't solve the problem. The gun isn't even the problem. But people want the easy out so have at it.