Dear Members of Congress,

As you may know, according to the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer, business is once again the most trusted institution in our society - ahead of NGOs, government, and media. This trust comes with a great responsibility to act in the interest of society, especially during these difficult times when Americans are reeling from death and devastation caused by nearly constant mass shootings and gun violence in almost every community across the nation.

The use of assault weapons in mass shootings is a national crisis that affects us all. We urge you to pass the assault weapons ban, again, right now. The majority of Americans - 67% - support a ban on assault weapons, including many responsible gun owners. As responsible corporate citizens, we must listen to our employees, clients and prospects, consumers and shareholders, and take action. As your constituent and supporter of March Fourth, we implore you to focus on this specific issue and pass this ban now.

An assault weapons ban works: one was in effect from 1994 until it expired in 2004. In the decade that the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban was in effect, mass shooting fatalities decreased by nearly 70%. In the decade after the ban expired, the U.S. experienced a 183% increase in gun “massacres” and a 239% increase in gun fatalities. The use of assault weapons in mass shootings is a grave threat to public safety, and we know that an assault weapons ban is a crucial step to mitigate mass shootings in America.

In the current political environment, bills with bipartisan support have the strongest likelihood of making it to a vote and passing. We encourage you to take action by requesting that H.R. 698 and S. 25 get called to a vote and then vote yes to this legislation that will federally ban assault weapons. Thank you for your response to this national crisis, and we look forward to swift action.

Respectfully,

The CEOs and Corporations of America