Senator Richard Blumenthal has criticized the gun industry for secretly collecting personal information from firearm owners for political purposes, labeling it a serious violation of privacy. In a letter to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), he questioned the legality of this covert program, which saw major gun manufacturers share sensitive customer data with political operatives.
Blumenthal’s concerns stem from a ProPublica investigation that revealed gun companies like Glock, Smith & Wesson, and Remington had passed on customer information without consent, helping fuel political campaigns by targeting gun owners with electoral messaging.
Blumenthal’s inquiry follows ProPublica’s revelation that at least 10 gun industry businesses provided the NSSF with customer names, addresses, and other personal details. This information was compiled into a massive database used to influence elections by mobilizing support for candidates favored by the gun industry.
The senator, who chairs a Senate subcommittee on privacy, has set a deadline for the NSSF to explain which companies contributed to the database, the type of data shared, and whether it is still being used for political purposes.
The data collected primarily came from warranty cards filled out by gun buyers for repair or rebates. Some of these cards promised strict confidentiality, while others indicated that information could be shared for marketing purposes, though none mentioned that data might be shared with political consultants.
Gun Industry Faces Privacy Backlash Over Secret Data Sharing for Political Targeting
Legal experts argue that failing to disclose this to consumers could violate federal consumer protection laws, as companies must adhere to their privacy policies and clearly state how customer information will be used.
The NSSF, which represents the firearms industry, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the data collection was legal and in line with manufacturer terms and conditions. However, the organization’s refusal to acknowledge the database’s existence in a 2022 response to Blumenthal’s questions has raised further concerns.
The NSSF’s controversial practice of collecting and sharing data predates the 2000 election and grew significantly over the following years, amassing over 5.5 million records that were used to send targeted political messages to gun owners.
The NSSF’s database was a key component of its voter education program, aimed at influencing elections by mobilizing gun owners to support candidates aligned with the firearms industry. The data also played a significant role in the 2016 presidential election when it was shared with the now-defunct political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica.
Cambridge used the data to create psychological profiles of gun owners, tailoring political messaging based on voters’ personalities and other sensitive information, including income, religion, and personal habits. This controversial use of private data has drawn attention to the ethical and legal implications of such data collection practices in the political sphere.
