Top business executives call on senators to act on guns

A group of top business leaders on Thursday urged the Senate to take action on gun control.

“Doing nothing about America’s gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety,” the CEOs from 145 companies including Twitter, Uber and Bloomberg LP wrote in the letter.

{mosads}The executives are calling for the Senate to expand background checks on gun sales and strengthen so-called red-flag laws.

“The Senate must follow the House’s lead by passing bipartisan legislation that would update the background checks law, helping to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them, in an effort to save lives,” they wrote. “Background checks on all gun sales are a common-sense solution with overwhelming public support and are a critical step toward stemming the gun violence epidemic in this country.”

Pressure has grown on Congress to pass gun control legislation after three deadly mass shootings in August, with business executives becoming more vocal on the issue.

The letter signals the most concerted effort by major companies to enter into a debate that was once considered off limits.

The issue is seemingly becoming less divisive: a Washington Post-ABC News poll released this week found that 89 percent of respondents, including 83 percent of Republicans, support requiring background checks for all potential gun buyers.

The House passed a background check law earlier this year but it has been held up in the Republican-controlled Senate.

In the aftermath of the shootings, several companies have taken steps to end the sale of firearms and changing “open carry” rules at their stores.