Many of America’s largest gun makers have joined the fight to bring the global coronavirus pandemic to heel.
By now, you probably know the importance of personal protective equipment for our frontline healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19. When the pandemic started there was grave concern that many doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians were going to run out of personal protective equipment or PPEs.
In fact, some places did run out of supplies. Many hospitals reported shortages around the country and were even having to reuse some of their equipment. This gear is necessary because healthcare professionals the majority of the time cannot socially distance when they are trying to take care of critically ill patients.
Let’s take a look at what the firearm industry is bringing to the table.
Gun Manufacturers Are Making PPEs in Their Factories
Gun manufacturers have stepped up to make PPEs more widely available. This includes companies like Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Taurus, and KelTec. Not only are they providing this type of vital healthcare equipment to hospital workers, but also to frontline defenders in police and fire departments who also need the equipment. They aren’t even making a profit most of the time from this project, it’s all being donated.
Sig Sauer Donated Big Time
Sig Sauer donated 15,000 pieces of equipment to 80 different departments in three different states. Tom Taylor, the Executive Vice President at Sig Sauer, said that early on they decided to make PPEs available to their own employees and workers in their offices and factories. That led them to decide to ramp up their efforts to provide masks to healthcare workers and law enforcement around their communities.
Even though they were used to making certain types of protective equipment for using with firearms, such as hearing and eye protection, during their fire range testing, they were also equipped to make other items, like 3D printed face shields. You can bet healthcare workers were very grateful to get the extra supplies they greatly needed to be safe while doing their jobs.
Smith & Wesson Steps In
Smith & Wesson donated at least 17,000 pieces of equipment including face shields and eye protection to frontline workers all across the country. They also used a combination of 3D printing machines they had on hand, and modified eye shields they make in the form of safety glasses. Currently, they are making an additional 1000 eye shields per day to give to these workers.
Ruger Refuses to Be Left Out
Ruger has also repurposed some of their manufacturing facilities to make PPEs. They also donated a hefty amount of supplies to workers in five different states.
It’s amazing to see how firearm companies are truly making a difference in the lives of people during this stressful and unprecedented time in our country’s history. They are leading the way for all companies to contribute in big and meaningful ways.
PPEs consist of medical gowns that physicians wear, face masks, and gloves. Running out of supplies is just not an option for these brave professionals who are at risk each day dealing with COVID-19 patients of contracting the illness themselves.
