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ProPublica: Gun Makers Secretly Shared Customer Data with Lobbyists to Influence Elections

Oct 24, 2024, 12:30 PM

At least 10 gun industry businesses, including Glock, Smith & Wesson, Remington, and Mossberg, secretly handed over names, addresses, and other data to lobbyists. These lobbyists used the details to rally firearm owners to elect pro-gun politicians. A ProPublica review of warranty cards revealed that some promised to keep customers' information confidential, while others indicated the information could be shared for marketing and sales purposes. None disclosed that details would be used by lobbyists and consultants to win elections. The gun lobby, while opposing any effort to create a gun registry, secretly compiled a list of gun owners and used it to resist any gun regulations. Confidential information from gun customers was central to what the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) called its voter education program. Because privacy laws shield the names of firearm purchasers from public view, the data NSSF obtained gave it a unique ability to identify and contact gun owners. The investigation was conducted by ProPublica's Corey G. Johnson.