Connecticut UrgesShareholders of Vista Outdoor to Support a Resolution
at the August 9 Annual Meeting
Calls for a Report on Firearm Safety Steps
The shareholder proposal – submitted by Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier - urges the Vista Outdoor Board of Directors to report annually to shareholders on the steps Vista
Outdoor has taken to implement the Sandy Hook Principles, which were developed in response to the shooting deaths of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. The Principles aim to “promote progressive action
by gun and ammunition manufacturers, distributors and retailers with the goal of “eliminating the substantial and unjustified risk to human health and life associated with inadequately regulated firearmuse.” https://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/2013/0128-document-sandyhookprinciples.pdf
These actions include:
·Promoting certain specific restrictions on firearms and ammunition
sales,
·Supporting the establishment of a federal universal background
check system,
·Taking steps to promote the conducting of background checks
for every sale or transfer of guns or ammunition
Vista Outdoor designs and manufactures ammunition, long guns and gun accessories. Their brands include Federal Premium, Savage Arms, CII, Speer, Steven and Savage Range Systems.
The proposal asks for transparency to shareholders of how the company is addressing an undeniablyhigh
visibility issuewe believe has the potential to damage Vista Outdoor’s reputation due to the high emotions and substantial publicity associated
with gun violence. We acknowledge that Vista Outdoor provides disclosure about its promotion of gun safety initiatives, but we believe that information regarding the company’s
support for specific legislative and regulatory measures designed to address the misuse of firearms could protect Vista Outdoor’s reputation and enhance long-term shareholder value.
We urge shareholders to support proposal #6
For further information please contact Assistant Treasurer for Policy, Mary Phil Guinan (mp.guinan@ct.govor
860-702-3163.)