Rep. Maloney calls out gun CEOs' 'staggering lack of accountability' for mass shootings

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During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing that aimed to examine the role the firearms industry plays in contributing to U.S. gun violence, committee chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., called out two gun CEOs for not apologizing to the victims of mass shootings in which their products were involved. After Marty Daniel, CEO of Daniel Defense, and Christopher Killoy, president and CEO of Sturm, Ruger and Co., refused to take responsibility or apologize for the tragedies when prompted by the congresswoman, Maloney called it a "staggering lack of accountability."

Video Transcript

CAROLYN MALONEY: Today in the committee room there are victims and surviving family members from the Highland Park and Uvalde shootings. Mr Daniel, you have sent thoughts and prayers to the victims of Uvalde, but you have never accepted responsibility for selling the weapons that killed these innocent children. And you testified earlier that there has been a decline in personal responsibility.

I want to give you the opportunity now to show personal responsibility. Will you accept personal responsibility for your company's role in this tragedy and apologize to the families of Uvalde?

MARTY DANIEL: Chairwoman Maloney, these acts are committed by murderers. The murderers are responsible.

CAROLYN MALONEY: Reclaiming my time. Mr. Killoy, how about you? Will you apologize to the victims here today and victims around our country and their families in Sutherland Springs, Boulder, and other cities who were harmed by your products?

CHRISTOPHER KILLOY: Congresswoman, with all due respect, while I grieve, like all Americans, at these tragic incidences, again to blame the firearm, the particular firearm in use here that we're talking about, modern sporting rifles--

CAROLYN MALONEY: Thank you.

CHRISTOPHER KILLOY: --to blame the firearm as an inanimate object--

CAROLYN MALONEY: Reclaiming my time. So let me get this straight. And with all due respect, you market weapons of war to civilians and children. You make millions by selling them. But when someone pulls the trigger, you refuse to accept responsibility. And I would call that a staggering lack of accountability.

I hope the American people are paying attention today. It is clear that gun-makers are not going to change unless Congress forces them to finally put people over profits.