Robert Allen Ricker (January 8, 1951 - December 4, 2009[1][2]) was a member of the board of directors and Executive Director of the American Hunters and Shooters Association who resigned on January 6, 2009 after accusing gun manufacturers of "irresponsible" and "negligent" behavior.
Early career
editRicker graduated from George Mason University School of Law and began his career in 1977 as a trial lawyer for a Northern Virginia law firm. In 1981, he was hired as an Assistant General Counsel by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) to represent the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action and NRA Political Victory Fund. In 1983, Ricker moved to the west coast, where he organized and developed the California Wildlife Federation’s legislative advocacy program. That same year, he led the legislative effort in California to pass the nation's first firearm industry product liability immunity statute.
Controversy
editIn 1999, Ricker was appointed the Executive Director of the American Shooting Sports Council, a gun industry group.[3] His time in that position was brief, as he lost his post as executive director after attending a meeting with President Clinton to discuss preventing school shooting like the Columbine High School massacre. The meeting, which was opposed by the National Rifle Association, led to the American Shooting Sports Council being disbanded.[4]
In high-profile litigation brought by several major U.S. cities, Ricker gained national prominence when he went on record against the very industry he used to represent.[4] In an affidavit filed in California, and later in testimony before a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, Ricker, pointed to what he said were "irresponsible" and "negligent" behavior on the part of gun manufacturers, distributors and dealers.
Later work
editRicker managed his own Sacramento, California based legislative advocacy and policy consulting firm.
Ricker died December 4, 2009.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence : Media". Bradycampaign.org. 2009-12-07. Archived from the original on 2009-12-21. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ "Robert Allen Ricker". Fold3. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Ricker named ASSC executive director; council to continue vital work". Shooting Industry Magazine. May 1, 1999. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2013. Subscription Required
- ^ a b Butterfield, Fox (February 4, 2003). "Gun Industry Ex-Official Describes Bond of Silence". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.(subscription required)
External links
edit- Rickers appearing on NOW with Bill Moyers
- Henigan, Dennis A. (December 11, 2009). "The Gun Industry's "Insider": A Tribute to Bob Ricker". Huffington Post. Retrieved 22 January 2013.