Top asset manager BlackRock pressures US gun industry
Source: Agence France-Presse
3 MAR 2018
The world's largest asset manager BlackRock is exerting pressure on the gun industry following the latest US school shooting massacre, pressing firms on how they monitor firearms use and safety.
In a statement published Friday on BlackRock's website, the investment titan said it was considering launching new funds including "index-based portfolios that would exclude just firearms manufacturers and retailers."
The world's largest investor in publicly held companies -- with more than $6 trillion in assets under management -- also said it was pressing gunmakers and retailers in which its clients invest on issues ranging from litigation risk to weapon safety monitoring to background checks.
"As it has for many people, the recent tragedy in Florida has driven home for BlackRock the terrible toll from gun violence in America," the firm said. "We believe that this event requires response and action from a wide range of entities across both the public and private sectors."
Read more: https://www.afp.com/en/news/23/top-asset-manager-blackrock-pressures-us-gun-industry-doc-11q6jf2
= new reply since forum marked as read
it WILL get their attention! Of course, BlackRock isn't saying that they're pulling out financing, but it may force the gun makers/sellers to, shall we say, lower their sights? If others follow suit, the gun industry is going to feel some significant pain. (if only they could feel the same pain their victims feel when they get ripped open by an AR-15 bullet...... 
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