College Trustees Ban Investment in 'Assault Weapons,' 'High Cap' Magazine Manufacturers

Occidental College trustees have now banned investments in “assault weapons” and “high capacity” magazine manufacturers.

Trustees did this in an effort to be “a voice of reason in a world of violence” because of the heinous crime at Sandy Hook Elementary.

While this decision may give Occidental College the temporary satisfaction of taking a public stand against certain firearm and firearm accessory manufacturers, it ultimately removes them from any long term say in how those companies operate. 

As Young America’s Foundation points out, this “ban [ultimately] prevents communication between the college and manufacturers, resulting in even less of a possibility for discourse.” Moreover, the divestment of holdings in such companies will “simply shift potential ownership of shares in [the] companies to other willing parties” who may steer them even further away from where Occidental College would like them to be. 

Looking at it from another angle, Young America’s Foundation points out that divesting from “assault weapons” and “high capacity” magazine manufacturers cannot be compartmentalized to the civilian market, but must be viewed as touching police and military weapons as well. This is because many of the same companies that make civilian versions of AR-platform rifles and magazines also make police and military firearms and firearm accessories.

This includes firearms and firearm accessories for university and college police departments.

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins