Trinity Church on Wall Street wants outdoor sporting goods retailer Cabela’s (CAB) to halt sales of high-capacity weapons.
The parish church is a longterm shareholder with a small stake in the company — 4,600 shares out of a total 69 million, according to the New York Times. The church has submitted a proposal to request that the issue be addressed during Cabela’s upcoming annual shareholder meeting. Specifically, Trinity wants Cabela’s to discontinue its sale of firearms that can release more than eight rounds without reloading.
“It is difficult for Cabela’s to protect itself from the risk of selling high-capacity weapons to a terrorist, a terrorist suspect on a no-fly list, or to people who pose a significant danger to public safety,” Reverend Dr. William B. Lupfer, the rector of Trinity, told the Times.
Firearm manufacturers, and retailers that sell guns, have come under increased scrutiny in recent years. New York City Public Advocate Letitia James recently requested that the SEC investigate Smith & Wesson over the company’s potential misrepresentation of its products’ use in crimes in its public disclosures. James issued her request after news surfaced that a Smith & Wesson gun may have been used in the recent San Bernardino shooting.
Cabela’s Chairman James Cabela is known to be a supporter of the National Rifle Association, which staunchly opposes bans on high-capacity firearms. This year, he was given the NRA Distinguished Hunters Leadership Award.
Cabela’s could not immediately be reached for comment.