4 Maine CEOs among those nationwide demanding US Senate action on gun safety

File Photo / Courtesy, Northeastern Firearms A group known as "CEOs for Gun Safety" includes the leaders of four Maine companies.

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By William Hall

Leaders of four Maine companies have joined 219 other CEOs nationwide in demanding the U.S. Senate take “bold urgent action” to prevent gun violence, which they say is costing lives — and dollars.

In the wake of the May 24 shooting that killed 19 schoolchildren and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, the group of executives penned a letter calling on senators to “transcend partisanship and work together to pass bold legislation to address gun violence in our country.”

The missive, submitted to the Senate on Thursday, was signed by the heads of companies including Bloomberg LP, Yahoo, Levi Strauss & Co. and the Philadelphia Eagles. Also signing were the heads of four Portland businesses:

Mary Allen Lindemann, co-founder and community builder, Coffee By Design
David Redding, founder and manager, Goodfire Brewing Co.
Andrew and Briana Volk, co-owners, Portland Hunt + Alpine Club
Heather B. Sanborn, co-owner, Rising Tide Brewing Co.

In addition to citing the Uvalde killings, the loose coalition known as “CEOs for Gun Safety” points to “the equally horrifying events at the Tops market in Buffalo, and the 14 additional mass shootings that took place in just the ten days between the two.”

The CEOs also write of the “profound economic impact” of such violence.

“At a time when our economy is struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, gun violence costs American taxpayers, employers and communities a staggering $280 billion per year,” the letter reads, referring to a 2021 study by the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund.

“Employers lose $1.4 million every day in productivity and revenue, and costs associated with victims of gun violence. Communities that experience gun violence struggle to attract investment, create jobs, and see economic growth.”

The letter, list of signatories and information on signing the letter can be found here.