Former Firearms Executive Ryan Busse Joins Giffords to Combat Gun Lobby Radicalization and Advance Responsible Gun Ownership
Avid outdoorsman and gun owner will speak for responsible firearms owners, help grow Gun Owners for Safety
Giffords, the gun safety organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, added a powerful new voice to its advocacy team today by welcoming gun owner and former firearms industry executive Ryan Busse as a senior advisor. Busse, who worked in the gun industry for more than two decades, will help Giffords reach out to gun owners and fight for responsible policies while confronting the role that the gun industry plays in the dangerous radicalization of millions of Americans.
Ryan Busse has also served as an advisor for the United States Senate Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Biden presidential campaign. In October 2021, Public Affairs is publishing Busse’s book, Gunfight, which details his life as a firearms industry executive and addresses the policy and cultural changes that are necessary to reduce gun violence and heal our democracy.
“Like me, Gabby Giffords is a gun owner who knows that commonsense gun safety laws and the Second Amendment are not in conflict. Her organization’s commitment to engaging gun owners in the fight to thoughtfully reduce gun violence in America is so important,” said Giffords Senior Advisor Ryan Busse. “I’m excited to join forces with Gabby and her team to continue building a home for responsible gun owners who reject extremism and who understand that our freedoms are coupled with immense responsibility.”
The firearms industry, under the increasing control of the NRA, has become dangerously absolutist about the Second Amendment. Today the industry dismisses decency and promotes radicalized views by stoking the same fear, conspiracy, and hatred that spilled into our Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Like me, the majority of gun owners no longer feel represented by the radical positions of the NRA and we reject the dangerous politics they fuel.”
In 2020, Giffords launched Gun Owners for Safety, a national coalition of gun owners committed to advancing commonsense gun safety laws. The group now has nearly 50,000 active members in all 50 states and official chapters in Colorado, Michigan, and Texas. The goals of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety include reducing gun violence through advocacy, public education, and policy change; shifting the culture so Americans are informed about what makes them safer and inspired to fight for safer communities, and promoting responsible gun ownership through firearm safety—and holding special interests accountable.
“For too long, the gun lobby has perpetuated the big lie that the Second Amendment is absolute and rises above all other rights,” said Giffords Executive Director Peter Ambler. “The NRA has encouraged us to fear our neighbors and arm ourselves for a coming civil war. This results not from a commitment to freedom, but from a focus on profits. Ryan Busse’s experience with the gun industry will be incredibly valuable in helping us counter their dangerous lies and better advance commonsense gun safety laws that are supported by the vast majority of Americans. He is a gun owner with integrity, and we’re glad to have him as part of the Giffords team.”
In addition to providing insights on the gun industry and gun lobby, Busse will bring a wealth of in-house firearms expertise to Giffords.
Busse joins former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell as Giffords senior advisors as the organization continues to expand and grow its influence.