Ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s has energized millions of customers with new lobbying efforts to enhance gun safety after mass shootings in Yuvalde, Texas and Buffalo, NY last month.
Christopher Miller, head of global operations for the ice cream company, told CNBC in an interview that the company called on 8 million Facebook fans and 515,000 Twitter followers to lobby for stronger gun safety laws. rice field.
Ben & Jerry’s work on guns has led business leaders to change firearms following multiple mass shootings, including a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers at a school in Yuvalde, Texas. It happens when you approach Congress.billionaire Elon Musk He told CNBC that he wanted to “tighten” the gun background.Other Texas-based business leaders in an open letter published in the Dallas Morning News I called you To raise the minimum age for buying more background checks, warning signs, and guns to 21.
Ben & Jerry’s was founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in the late 1970s, is headquartered in Vermont and has stores around the world. Since then, Cohen and Greenfield have been voiced as political supporters of a wide range of policies, including gun law, voting rights, and healthcare. Unilever is its parent company.Financier Nelson PeltzA Republican supporter, has recently joined its board.
“When the bill is passed, we certainly encourage fans to contact their policy makers for support. [gun safety] “The bill,” Miller told CNBC in explaining the company’s plans to support the gun proposal being discussed in Congress.
The House of Representatives is set to vote this week About the gun safety bill lift Semi-automatic rifles are available for purchase between the ages of 18 and 21 and limit the size of the ammunition storage and provide safe gun storage standards. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. Has not yet set a vote on the gun safety bill.
Miller also said the ice cream maker plans to break ties with vendors who have worked with the firearms industry.
After being asked about one of the outside law firms, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Miller said, “I’m sure we’re not working with industry enablers.” “We certainly think we’ll be more thoughtful about the types of service providers we’ll work with in the future.”
Representatives of Shook, Hardy & Bacon did not return a request for comment.After contacting a law firm about Ben & Jerry’s work, you will see a section on that website Previous job at a company in Vermont And its big details Tobacco, alcohol, firearm practice It seems that it was deleted.
Ben & Jerry’s are publicly criticized for not taking action after a deadly shooting In Yuvalde and Buffalo.
“We must stop this kind of gun violence in the United States, but our leaders are more sensitive to gun lobbies than the sad families of countless victims. The company’s statement. Said after the shooting of Uvalde. Shooting at Buffalo left 10 dead and 3 injured.
According to a statement, Ben & Jerry’s calls on customers to “contact lawmakers and demand action to stop gun violence,” and ask lawmakers to support the ban on assault-type military weapons and large magazines. I urged you. The company plans to keep lobbying pressure online as the bill and solution are being discussed in Congress, Miller said.
“There is a digital action platform that allows you to call Capitol Hill, which allows you to send emails to the governor, state legislators, and members of parliament. Tweet to elected civilians and send social messages. You can post, “Miller said.
This is not the first time Ben & Jerry’s has become political in the battle for stronger gun control.
Miller told CNBC that the company upheld the gun law passed by the Vermont State Parliament in 2018. At that time, Republican Governor Phil Scott signed a bill to strengthen Vermont’s firearms law. include Buyers must pass the required background checks.
The political activities of a company cost some money.
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration after Ben & Jerry’s decide to stop selling ice cream in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian Territory moved Suspend contracts with parent company Unilever and its subsidiaries.
