LAS VEGAS – The Nevada chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine announced that the State of Nevada would divest from any business that profits from the sale or manufacture of assault-style weapons. The instruction to divest from these companies will apply to an estimated $89 million investment portfolio managed by the treasurer’s office. The announcement comes as the nation continues to reel from the recent mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo – perpetrated with assault rifles – and as gun violence continues to devastate Nevada communities every day.
“There’s no reason why our taxpayer dollars should end up in the pockets of assault weapon manufacturers, and we’re grateful that Nevada will no longer be investing in these companies that profit off of flooding our streets with deadly, high-powered rifles,” said Liz Becker, a volunteer with the Nevada chapter of Moms Demand Action. “As gun violence continues to devastate communities in Nevada and across the country, this is a bold step in promoting gun safety.”
Nevada is in the midst of a gun violence crisis. In an average year, 519 people in Nevada die and another 1,119 Nevadans are wounded by guns. Additional information about gun violence in Nevada is available here.