Guns Down America Appoints Hudson Munoz as New Executive Director

October 23, 2023

WASHINGTON – Guns Down America’s board of directors has unanimously voted to appoint veteran research and public relations expert Hudson Munoz as the organization's new Executive Director. Hudson replaces founder Igor Volsky, who transitioned from the organization earlier this year.

Hudson joins Guns Down America from Amalgamated Bank, where he led the bank’s effort to establish a merchant category code for gun and ammunition stores. He brings expertise on the intersection of finance and the firearms industry to the movement to end gun violence. Hudson graduated with honors from The Johns Hopkins University’s dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Government program.

“We have a duty to take care of each other and build a safer future with fewer guns,” said Hudson Munoz, Executive Director of Guns Down America. “The business community shares in this responsibility, and I am excited to join Guns Down America to build on the organization’s work bringing companies into the fold of efforts to end the gun violence epidemic.”

“Guns Down America has pushed corporate America to be bolder and join the fight for a safer future with fewer guns,” said Michael Fleming, Board Chairperson of Guns Down America. “Today that mission is more critical than ever. I look forward to seeing Hudson take on this important role and lead the talented team into the next fight.”

Established in 2016 following the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting, Guns Down America has been working to build a future with fewer guns by weakening the gun industry while activating corporate America and building political and cultural support for policies that will keep Americans safe from gun violence.

Guns Down America played a key role in forming the “Time is Now” coalition that persuaded the Biden Administration to establish the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Important work done by Guns Down America leading up to that historic announcement included the “Shock Market” campaign tracking deaths from gun violence.

Prior to that, Guns Down America and coalition partners were successful in getting credit card companies to finally agree to do more to help identify suspicious patterns of firearm and ammunition purchases with a merchant category code for gun and ammunition stores. Media reports and criminal indictments have highlighted the use of credit for the purchase of guns and ammunition involved in mass shootings and gun trafficking, a problem that can be addressed with the code.

Guns Down America’s other work included ending the NRA’s lucrative “murder insurance” program, pushing major American banks to unwind their business relationships with irresponsible gun manufacturers, and forcing large retailers like Walmart to dramatically reduce gun sales. Additionally, Guns Down America has been at the forefront of combating armed domestic extremism and safeguarding the American voting process from armed intimidation.

Munoz replaces founder Igor Volsky, who made international headlines in late 2015 after he shamed lawmakers for sending “thoughts and prayers” by pairing their insincere condolences with the campaign contributions they received from the NRA. This shaped Guns Down America’s actions of quickly and strategically driving smart rapid response efforts that have a clear and compelling message.