Gun makers have taken in more than US$1 billion from selling AR-15-style guns over the past decade, at times marketing them as a way for young men to prove their masculinity, even as the number of mass shootings increases, according to a House investigation unveiled Wednesday.
The weapons have been used in massacres that have horrified the nation, including one that left 10 people dead at a grocery store in Buffalo and another where 19 children and two teachers were shot to death in Uvalde, Texas.
"What we saw in Uvalde, Buffalo and Highland Park was pure evil," said Marty Daniels, the CEO of Daniel Defense, the company that made the weapon used in Texas. "The cruelty of the murderers who committed these acts is unfathomable and deeply disturbs me, my family, my employees and millions of Americans across this country."
The House panel's investigation focused on five major gunmakers, and found they took in a combined total of more than $1 billion in revenue over the past 10 years from the sale of AR-15-style firearms. The revenue numbers were released for the committee hearing focused on the marketing and sales of the firearms that have gained notoriety because of their use in the mass killings.
Sturm, Ruger & Co.'s gross revenue, meanwhile, has nearly tripled from $39 million to $103 million since 2019, and Smith and Wesson reported that its revenues from all long guns doubled from 2019 to 2021. Gun manufacturers, the committee said, don't gather or analyze safety data related to firearms. While AR-15-style firearms aren't necessarily the main drivers of U.S. gun violence overall, their design allows shooters to harm more people from a greater distance, said Kelly Sampson, senior counsel and director of racial justice with Brady, a group pressing to end gun violence that generally supports restrictions.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Peacekeeper, police officers among at least 15 killed in Congo anti-UN protests | CBC NewsAt least 15 people have been killed and dozens of others injured during two days of demonstrations in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo against the United Nations mission in the country, officials said.
Read more »
Hospitalizations rise by 62 as Quebec reports 15 more COVID deathsThe seven\u002Dday rolling average of deaths is at 13.
Read more »
Fresnillo says its H1 2022 silver equivalent production down 15% over H1 2021, keeps annual guidance unchangedFresnillo says its H1 2022 silver equivalent production down 15% over H1 2021, keeps annual guidance unchanged kitconews gold silver economics mining metals investing finance
Read more »
Hospitalizations rise by 62 as Quebec reports 15 more COVID deathsThe seven\u002Dday rolling average of deaths is at 13.
Read more »
BRITANNIA SHOOTING: Cops release suspects' photos, video in July 6 shooting that left victim in critical conditionCity police’s guns and gangs unit has released a video and photos of two suspects alleged to be linked to an afternoon shooting in the Britannia area that left…
Read more »