Explanation

This resolution encourages Episcopal investors, both corporate and individual, to build on the success of the shareholder resolution filed in early 2018 by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and several other faith-based investors in Dick’s Sporting Goods. That shareholder engagement effort, reported by Episcopal News Service on February 28, influenced the retailer’s decision to stop selling assault weapons and to adopt a number of other positions and practices consistent with the Sandy Hook Principles, which were endorsed by the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council in June 2017 (Resolution AN 025). Do Not Stand Idly By is a community organizing initiative that urges faith organizations to practice shareholder engagement as a way to reduce gun violence. The initiative is a campaign of Metro-IAF, a part of the Industrial Areas Foundation multi-faith community organizing network. It includes citizens’ groups rooted in religious congregations in 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Specifically, Do Not Stand Idly By pressures gun companies to improve the operations, supply chains and policies of gun manufacturers and retailers and to develop and market safer gun technology. Do Not Stand Idly By’s Mosbacher Bennett Principles for Investors in the Gun Industry (donotstandidlyby.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Mosbacher-Bennett-Principles-for-Gun-Industry-Investors.pdf) were developed by its co-chairs, Rabbi Joel Mosbacher and Pastor Anthony Bennett. A copy has been provided and is available in the General Convention Secretariat.