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HP3 is calling attention to a monumental legal development following the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a constitutional challenge to Cook County’s long-standing assault weapons ban.

In the consolidated case Viramontes v. Cook County, lead appellant Cutberto Viramontes argues that prohibitions on semi-automatic firearms like AR-15s violate the Second Amendment. Joining the petition is the Second Amendment Foundation, whose strategy utilizes impact litigation to dismantle gun safety laws, represented by the law firm Cooper & Kirk, PLLC. In their previous challenges at lower courts the appellants argued that AR-15s are so common in our society that prior law made at the U.S. Supreme Court dictates that bans on AR-15s are unconstitutional. 

The high court’s decision to grant certiorari required the agreement of at least four justices, a threshold met after Justice Brett Kavanaugh signaled that the bench would address semi-automatic restrictions soon. Oral arguments are scheduled for this fall, carrying massive public safety implications nationwide. 

HP3’s strategy of Procurement Activism fits the needs of a population that wants to choose safety over gun profits now more than ever.

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The Highland Park Peace Project (HP3) announces the release of groundbreaking information on its Scorecard that identifies 60 companies providing manufacturing equipment and machinery to Sig Sauer. HP3 is dedicated to building the most thorough database of enablers of the leading manufacturers of assault weapons-retailers, lawyers, banks and the brands that power their supply chain.

Sig Sauer is one of the nation’s largest producers of military-style assault weapons sold to civilians. Their firearms have been used in some of the deadliest mass shootings inU.S. history, including the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting (50 killed, 58 injured) and the 2017 Las Vegas music festival tragedy (60 killed, 413 injured).

“Sig Sauer has long attempted to shield its supply chain from the public” said Daniel Perlman, Co-Founder of HP3. “By uncovering these connections through meticulous research into M&T Bank financing documents, we are providing consumers and businesses with the transparency they need to make ethically informed purchasing decisions.”

The HP3 research team identified these 60 suppliers—ranging from robotics and chemical providers to electrical equipment manufacturers—by analyzing public liens and financing statements tied to Sig Sauer’s six primary factory locations.

The Highland Park Peace Project is calling on all purchasers of industrial machinery, tools, plastics, and chemicals to consult the HP3 Scorecard before finalizing future contracts.

“We believe that every company in the supply chain shares a level of responsibility for the end-use of the products they help create,” added Daniel Perlman. “Transparency is the first step toward accountability.”

The full Scorecard and list of identified enablers can be found at hppeaceproject.org. HP3 will continue its quest to build its database of enablers that attempt to evade our scrutiny. HP3 also highlights companies that take a stand against the leading public facing manufacturers of assault weapons such as Salesforce, PayPal and Uber.

Four people were murdered when a gunman entered the lobby at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY on July 28 and started spraying bullets from his AR-15 style rifle. His immediate target included a New York police officer and security guard. The gunman then murdered a 43-year-old executive who was the mother of two and ran a $110 billion real estate fund. As the gunman entered the 33rd floor, he took the life of a 27- year-old woman who was an associate at the building’s manager. As we count the number of those murdered, we must also communicate the fear of the thousands of other employees in the building texting alarms about the shooting and their frantic measures to barricade their offices and conference rooms. We mourn the lives of Wesley LePanter, Didarul Islam, Julia Hyman and Aland Etienne. We pray for the healing of all who were impacted by this senseless act of violence.