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June 18, 2011
Firearms industry warns retailers of anti-gun survey
Anti-gun researcher and activist Garen Wintemute and his colleagues at the University of California at Davis have begun sending out surveys to firearms retailers across the country. A letter accompanying the survey, signed by Dr. Wintemute, claims the aim of their research is to better understand “the unique perspective of firearms licensees on important social issues and the firearms business itself.”
Dr. Wintemute, who serves as the director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis, is perhaps best known for authoring the anti-gun report “Ring of Fire: The Handgun Makers of Southern California.” More recently, Dr. Wintemute and his team conducted “undercover operations” of gunshows for their report, “Inside Gun Shows: What Goes on When Everyone Thinks Nobody is Watching.”
Given Dr. Wintemute’s history, it is clear that this firearms retailer survey will be used as a tool to justify and support legislation to curb the lawful commerce of firearms and the individual rights of law-abiding Americans.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for America’s firearms industry — is urging extreme caution should retailers decide to participate in this survey. NSSF is encouraging all sportsmen, gun owners and firearms enthusiasts to contact Dr. Wintemute and his research team to politely express their objections to this agenda-driven, anti-gun research.
Read the cover letter and survey.
To reach the Violence Prevention Research Program: (916) 494-9464 or vprp@ucdavis.edu.
Categories: Government Relations, Top Stories
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