DO NOT STAND IDLY BY GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION: 

MT leaders have played a key role Metro IAF’s Do Not Stand Idly By (DNSIB) campaign for gun safety. DNSIB’s purpose is to encourage public officials and others to use their purchasing power, pension fund investments and other financial leverage to encourage gun companies to behave more responsibly.

The most important steps gun companies can take is to invest in smart gun technology and cut off the small number of irresponsible dealers who sell most crime guns. MT and Metro IAF have successfully worked with public officials including US Senator Charles Schumer, Comptroller Scott Stringer and Congressman Hakeem Jefferies to support  this plan. We are also working to encourage the Mayor of New York and others to live up to his promises to support this effort as well.

In 2017 - we were able to get getting Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance to sign onto Do Not Stand Idly By and to call on manufacturers to improve safety. MT worked with the rest of Metro IAF NY to get NYPD Commissioner O’Neill to meet with Glock about cracking down on bad gun dealers.

As was highlighted in a March 2018 column in the NY Times, MT leaders continue to push government and investors to use financial leverage to force gun companies to behave more responsibly. In May of 2018 Metro IAF leaders helped pass a shareholder resolution forcing Sturm Ruger to report on its gun safety efforts. We are initiating conversations with other large investors who have started asking similar questions of gun companies.

Further, teams of leaders have organized to help and push police to address their areas of concern with regard to crime and safety in their communities. We have had productive meetings with NYPD commanding officers and they have taken action against dangerous criminal activity in subway stations, playground and other areas our members identified. However, much more remains to be done.

MT and EBC leaders with NYPD Commissioner O’Neill in July of 2017 as he promises to hold Glock accountable.
 

Leaders from Manhattan Together and other Metro IAF organizations joining Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and Comptroller Scott Stringer to call on Mayor De Blasio to join President Obama to push for gun safety, January 2016.

Manhattan Together and Other Metro IAF leaders with Senator Charles Schumer at Town and Village Synagogue, calling on the Federal Government to use its buying power to promote gun safety in October of 2015.  (Photo courtesy of The Daily News)