US Corporate Giants Muted on Gun Reform After Nashville School Shooting
The nation's top CEOs are remaining largely silent on gun reform in the wake of the latest mass shooting at a school in Nashville. This is despite their previous efforts to push for legislation and the growing power of large corporations as political advocates.
In 2017, major US companies came together to oppose North Carolina's transgender bathroom law. In 2019, they called abortion bans "bad for business." After the deadly attack on the Capitol in January 2021, many top CEOs denounced rioters and pledged to halt their political giving. Recently, over 1,000 companies promised to curtail operations in Russia in protest of Moscow's war on Ukraine.
Some US companies have made significant efforts to address gun violence, including Dick's Sporting Goods, which stopped selling semi-automatic rifles at stores after the Parkland shooting in 2018, and Walmart, which ended handgun ammunition sales. Corporate America has long been vocal on this issue, with nearly 150 major companies calling for legislation to address gun violence.
However, in the wake of the Nashville school shooting, an unsettling silence has fallen over the business community. Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who has a direct line to top CEOs, attributes this lack of action to frustration. "They've taken a very strong stance and they've gone out further than the general public," he said. "But they don't want to be the only one singing."
Sonnenfeld argues that social capital is as valuable as financial capital for corporate leaders. They want there to be public trust, but they need the rest of civil society to join them. The CEOs' frustration stems from their perception that everyone else is not doing enough.
While some top executives may hold significant influence over politicians through campaign contributions, this notion is far from accurate. Since 2020, big business has given less campaign contributions than in previous years.
The nation's top CEOs are remaining largely silent on gun reform in the wake of the latest mass shooting at a school in Nashville. This is despite their previous efforts to push for legislation and the growing power of large corporations as political advocates.
In 2017, major US companies came together to oppose North Carolina's transgender bathroom law. In 2019, they called abortion bans "bad for business." After the deadly attack on the Capitol in January 2021, many top CEOs denounced rioters and pledged to halt their political giving. Recently, over 1,000 companies promised to curtail operations in Russia in protest of Moscow's war on Ukraine.
Some US companies have made significant efforts to address gun violence, including Dick's Sporting Goods, which stopped selling semi-automatic rifles at stores after the Parkland shooting in 2018, and Walmart, which ended handgun ammunition sales. Corporate America has long been vocal on this issue, with nearly 150 major companies calling for legislation to address gun violence.
However, in the wake of the Nashville school shooting, an unsettling silence has fallen over the business community. Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who has a direct line to top CEOs, attributes this lack of action to frustration. "They've taken a very strong stance and they've gone out further than the general public," he said. "But they don't want to be the only one singing."
Sonnenfeld argues that social capital is as valuable as financial capital for corporate leaders. They want there to be public trust, but they need the rest of civil society to join them. The CEOs' frustration stems from their perception that everyone else is not doing enough.
While some top executives may hold significant influence over politicians through campaign contributions, this notion is far from accurate. Since 2020, big business has given less campaign contributions than in previous years.
I'm so disappointed to see the corporate giants mum on gun reform after a school shooting 
. It's like they're only speaking up when it's convenient for them or when there's a PR opportunity. I get that they don't want to be seen as preachy, but come on! These are kids we're talking about! They should be using their influence to push for real change 
.
. That was a big deal back then, and it shows that they can make a difference when they choose to 
. What happened to those same voices? Did they just lose steam? 
. We've seen bipartisan support for common-sense gun laws in the past 
. So, where are all these CEOs at now? 
I guess when it comes to this issue, they're feeling a little burnt out from all the noise and drama 
.
. Those were real steps forward! We need that same level of commitment now 
. The silence is deafening, and it's only making me want to demand more 
. It's like they're waiting for others to make a move before they do anything themselves. I don't get it. Don't they remember when they made all those public statements against the bathroom law in NC or the abortion ban? 
. I think Sonnenfeld got it right, though. They're feeling frustrated because they want everyone to be on the same page before they make any noise themselves. But what's really going on here? Is it just a bunch of empty corporate PR 
It feels like they're just waiting for others to take the lead, but what's the point of having 1k+ companies speaking out if no one else is listening? 
I get it about not wanting to be the only one singing, but at what cost? A few CEOs taking a strong stance doesn't help much when the general public is still talking about how to address gun violence 
. didnt they use to be the ones pushing for legislation? its all good though, maybe they're just trying to not be too pushy like everyone else 
. but seriously, shouldn't big corps be using their influence to try and make a change? i dunno, maybe sonnenfeld's right about social capital or whatever 
. I mean, we've seen them take a stance on other issues like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion 
, but this one feels different. They're basically saying "we've done enough" 
.
. And btw, what's with the "we've taken a strong stance" excuse? That sounds like corporate speak 
.
u want public trust and all that jazz... but what's the point if nobody else is joinin in? 
... And what's with this "everyone else isn't doing enough" thing? 
. I mean, we're talking about kids getting shot at school here 
. You'd think their voices would be louder than ever 
. But now? Mute 
. Social capital matters just as much as financial capital 
. They've taken a stance, made some noise, and then just shut up? It's frustrating because it feels like no one is holding their feet to the fire 
.
, especially if they feel like no one is doing enough 
instead of just saying we need more public support from civil society 
. Can't the CEOs use their power and money to make a difference in this one area? 
It's weird they're all quiet on gun reform after Nashville school shooting 
But you'd think they'd want to make a difference after all the other stuff they've been vocal about. Like, remember when they banded together on Russia and Ukraine issues? 
? I wish they'd use their influence to push for change, 'specially when the average person is feeling helpless and scared 
. Social capital might be valuable, but what's the point if no one else is joining in?