Brother of Las Vegas victim wants California pension funds to divest from gun sellers

[TexasTowelie]

The brother of a San Diego attorney who was slain in October’s massacre in Las Vegas implored California’s teacher pension fund on Wednesday to divest from retailers that sell certain weapons and ammunition.

Jason Irvine of Reno addressed the California State Teachers’ Retirement System to back a proposal by state Treasurer John Chiang that would force the fund to end its stake in sporting goods companies and wholesale weapons dealers that sell guns that are illegal in California in other states. Irvine’s sister, Jennifer Topaz Irvine, was among the 58 people who were killed by Stephen Paddock on Oct. 1.

“I visited my sister Jennifer Irvine in the morgue,” Jason Irvine told the CalSTRS board of administration. “I kissed her on the forehead and cried that I was sorry and I loved and missed her very much. I saw with my own eyes and felt first-hand the carnage these weapons inflict.”

Chiang, a candidate for governor in 2018, first put forward a divestment proposal in the week after the Las Vegas shooting. CalSTRS board member Harry Keiley said the fund is researching Chiang’s request and looking into which investments might be affected by a divestment from weapons retailers.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article182142846.html

[flamin lib]

1. Worked for S Africa and apartied. Nt

[BigmanPigman]

2. As a former CA teacher I support this completely.

CalSTRS has invested our pension funds very wisely in the past and provides a COLA increase every year. Since they seem to consider humanitarian needs when they decide which companies to invest pension funds in the past I would expect them to seriously look into this new request.

[JI7]

3. i think most teachers would be ok with this

[SunSeeker]

4. K & R

[HopeAgain]

5. Responsible investing

Should include social responsibility as well.