CEOs call on U.S. Senate to tackle gun violence -reports

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More than 100 chief executives of some of the nation's most well-known companies on Thursday called on the Republican-led US. Senate to do something about gun violence.

Posted on the New York Times, the letter states: ”We are writing to you because we have a responsibility and obligation to stand up for the safety of our employees, customers and all Americans in the communities we serve across the country. Doing nothing about America's gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety.”

Those signing the missive include the heads of Levi Strauss, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Uber, Lyft, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and many others. The Democratic-led House of Representatives quickly took up measures this week to address gun violence as lawmakers returned to Washington.

The Senate, led by Republicans, has so far stayed on the sidelines, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell looking to the White House for guidance.

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL, SAYING:

“To make a law you have to have a presidential signature."

Trump, a staunch ally of the NRA, hasn’t said whether he’d support gun control measures.

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

“So, we’re looking at background checks and we’re looking at putting everything together in a unified way so we can have something that’s meaningful. At the same time, all of us want to protect our great Second Amendment.”

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Thursday issued a challenge to McConnell to take up the bills.

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI, SAYING:

“Why don’t we spend some time going over to see Mitch McConnell asking him why he doesn’t want to save lives.”

This company-led effort also comes as large chains like Walmart, CVS and Kroger have asked customers not to open-carry their weapons in states that allow it, after a mass shooter openly carrying his weapon killed 22 at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas in August.