Confronting Morality

It is time for weapon manufacturers to account for the morality of their business. Guns in and of themselves are neutral technology, but what is done with them carries responsibility. It is telling that Smith & Wesson, the builder of semiautomatic weapons used in several massacres avoided speaking with demonstrators outside its corporate offices. The company is not ready to talk and might be hoping the issue goes away once the hubbub of the Parkland shootings subsides. But, even if it does, that does not change the issue. Too many of its guns are being used to murder people. It needs better safeguards for who purchases its weaponry. This will not be easy to do. The company loses control over its rifles once they leave the factory and are shipped nationwide. What S&W can do is to take a public stance on gun control and stop selling the AR-15-like rifle. Admittedly, it would be a hit to the company’s bottom line, but like restrictions on the purchase of tobacco, it needs to be done.