Sun-Times News: Highland Park gun control activists keeping score on weapon producers and their business partners

Changing America’s Story

About HPPP

Using lessons learned, available resources and creative thinking to establish a rational response to the Assault Weapons crisis.

The Problem

Mass Shootings Occur at an Alarming Rate in the United States.

In a mass shooting, when an AR-15 sprays bullets into a crowd, the survivors are often just one step away from the slain. 

We saw that in Highland Park. In Las Vegas. In Orlando. And in countless other places devastated by gun violence. Quite literally, the difference between life and death comes down to where you stand. 

But today, standing up to the manufacturers of these weapons of war isn’t enough. They are shielded by lobbyists and legal protections, making them hard to stop in traditional ways.

That’s why we’re taking action—not by going after the gun makers directly, but by targeting the companies that do business with them… those one step away. Retailers. Lawyers. Brands that power their supply chains.

By taking action against businesses that support gun makers, we can disrupt the systems that allow mass shootings to continue. 

We are one step away from saving lives. 

Will you stand with us?

The Leading Assault Weapon Manufacturers Have Received Over $1 Billion from Civilian Sales

Combined, these five manufacturers push hundreds of thousands of military-grade AR-style rifles into communities every year.

The table shows a small sample of public mass shootings in which Assault Weapons from one or more of these five manufacturers were used.

Bushmaster

Buffalo, NY (2022): 10 killed, 3 injured
Newtown, CT (2012): 28 killed, 2 injured

Daniel Defense

Uvalde, TX (2023): 22 killed, 18 injured
Las Vegas, NV (2017)*: 60 killed, 413 injured

Sig Sauer

Orlando, FL (2016): 50 killed, 58 injured
Las Vegas, NV (2017)*: 60 killed, 413 injured

Smith & Wesson

Highland Park, IL (2022): 7 killed, 48 injured
Parkland, FL (2018): 17 killed, 17 injured

Strum, Ruger & Company

Sutherland Springs, TX (2017): 26 killed, 22 injured
Boulder, CO (2021): 10 killed, 2 injured

Our Approach

We created a public database of companies that do business with civilian-facing Assault Weapon manufacturers.

The HPPP database will serve as a powerful tool for governments and private enterprises
in evaluating their business relationships. And daily consumers can make a difference with each of their purchases.

Gather Information

Through publicly available content and research strategies, HPPP’s research team assess whether a potential provider of goods or services is doing business with civilian-facing Assault Weapon manufacturers. The criteria for a Hero includes matching in all the following areas:

  • Supply Chain, Service, and Technology Restrictions
  • Direct Firearm Distribution Restrictions
  • Tactical Gear and Accessory Restrictions

Data Upload

We regularly maintain our database through our thorough research strategies. We are also looking for nominations for Heroes which can be submitted through our Be a Hero form.

Free Database

The database becomes a national public repository of information that serves as a powerful tool for any entity or organization in connection with its procurement of goods and services. Daily consumers can consult our scorecard in order to make a difference with each of their purchases.

Join Us!

Sign up to receive updated information and consult our scorecard before making purchasing decisions.

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