Death Toll Revised Down to 24 After Monstrous Oklahoma Tornado…100+ Injured…Children Among the Dead…Stunning Pictures…Woman Finds Dog During Interview!

WATCH on TheBlaze TV: Latest Updates on Tornado Aftermath, Including Updates From Glenn Beck in Oklahoma

Business

Have Any More Gun Makers Stopped Selling To Anti-Gun States? (Hint: Yeah, Lots More)

Feb. 20, 2013 8:48pm Mike Opelka

Last Friday TheBlaze reported on a growing list of gun manufacturers and retailers who had stopped selling to law enforcement in states that were enacting stringent new gun laws.

Since that report, the initial list (seen below) has changed. However, none of the “big three” (Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson) providers to law enforcement have stepped up and joined the companies who have chosen to take a public stand on the issue. In less than two weeks, at least 18 companies have made the decision to stop selling to law enforcement in states that limit a private citizen’s right to own a gun.

There is one arms maker that has gotten attention for publicly stating that they will not be pressured into stopping sales to law enforcement. That company is ArmaLite.

more gun makers stop selling to states that restrict private gun ownership

According to posts on several gun-supporting blog sites, Armalite answered email inquires with some unwelcome attitude. This is the reply reportedly sent from a sales rep identified as Pat Raley.

Dear concerned gun owner,

First of all I would like to say thank you for filling my email with all this spam email.

Second, I am not sure where you got this blanket email from to send out as spam, but please stop it.

Third, The manufacturer is not the one you need to convince.

You need to convince the law enforcement agencies and the common people about their mistake in electing these officials and have them removed. Again NOT the manufacture.

AR Stands for ArmaLite…

Respectfully,

Pat Raley

The snarky tone of that note did not sit well with the very active pro-gun crowd in the blogosphere. It quickly circled the digital universe. Armalite’s President Mark Westrom reportedly tried to do a little damage control and state his company’s policy more clearly.

At first glance, Westrom’s statement seemed to be along the lines of the companies who had chosen to stop selling to police in New York state.

My purpose here is to pass on his (Raley’s) apology from the corporate level and to answer the initial question: What is ArmaLite going to do?

ArmaLite is continuing a policy put into place when California first banned our rifles. That policy remains:

1. We will not sell to those states which deny it’s honorable citizens the right to own ArmaLite’s.

That statement seems clear. It was the next couple of points that muddied the waters a bit (emphasis added by Armalite):

2. We do not halt sales to individual officers even in problematic states. I am a former Police Officer myself, and the staffer who stimulated the recent anger is a currently serving one. We are well familiar with the fact that most rifles serving Police Officers are purchased by the officers themselves, and that they shouldn’t be punished for the actions of their political elite.
We consider sales to those sate subdivisions which are not engaged or potentially engaged with disarming its citizens. DNR and Forestry Departments, for instance, sometimes serve in remote areas that conceal drug farms and their officers deserve good hardware.

3. We will not sell to those lower political subdivisions that deny their honorable citizens the right to own ArmaLite’s. Chicago, for instance, prohibits its citizens from owning ArmaLite’s within the city limits so we make no effort to sell into that city. We have many friends on the Chicago Police Department and have continued to sell to them individually.

Westrom appears to be saying that they won’t sell to police departments in states where the Second Amendment is being infringed, but will sell to individual officers in those states.

We reached out to the company for comment and have not yet gotten a response. Mark Westrom’s voicemail seems to have been disabled or overwhelmed. Perhaps there is a connection there.

No matter what ArmaLite’s stance may be, there are many new additions to our initial list published late last week.. Joining the expanding group are:

Bullwater, which does business as A&T Firearms, posted a statement on Facebook

Our small company, Bullwater Enterprises LLC dba A & T Firearms out of Sylvania, Georgia is also joining these companies in refusing to do business with any state that is trampling the constitution and Bill of Rights of their citizens. We will not sell anything to any governmental agency, their contractors or employees. We will sell all lawful items to all other citizens of those states. Andrew & Tracy Orphanoudakis.

West Fork Armory also chose the social media outlet for making a statement, and did so with a very clear graphic atop their post.

more gun makers stop selling to states that restrict private gun ownership

Image: Facebook

Their message:

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! All New York Government and official purchases from New York Law Enforcement agencies within that state are cancelled. All future sales will be suspended and firearm servicing is halted until your current bans further restricting law abiding citizens is lifted.

West Fork also named a couple of other states besides New York, while encouraging other companies to join them:

California you’re already on the list, and Colorado your borderline on the list. We suggest all other manufacturers and dealers do the same.

Arizona’s Smith Enterprise posted a letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on its website. It shared some of the same sentiments as those who had joined the protest:

Until your state changes your gun control laws and ensures these laws are back in line with the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution, Smith Enterprise will be forced to keep this policy.

At a time when crime is rampant and people are becoming more and more desperate due to the struggling economy, it is imperative that state and local governments support the people’s right to defend themselves from would-be attackers. The police have nothing to fear from law-abiding citizens with guns.

When you change your gun laws back to something more along the lines of what our country was founded on, please let me know and we will reopen our sales in your state to government agencies.

Image: Alex Arms website

Alex Arms is a firearms dealer, and on Sunday, they posted their new policy:

Alex Arms & Instruction has decided to adopt, as policy, that we will not sell firearms and accessories to any state or governmental agency in any state that prohibits the possession or use of said item by its citizens.

Curiously, Alex Arms has used the company’s website to take a shot at one of their suppliers, Armalite. In a post from Monday, Alex Arms accused Armalite of “having no backbone.” Going forward, Armalite products will not be stocked by Alex Arms until they change their policy.

You either support the Second Amendment, or you do not. Armalite apparently does not. They have drawn their line in the sand and have decided to stand on the side of tyranny instead of We, The People.

Spike’s Tactical from Florida stated their policy on Facebook too:

In light of the recent and numerous anti-gun and anti-2nd Amendment laws pending across the Nation, Spike’s Tactical will be joining other manufacturers and distributors and limiting the business we do in states that have limited the right to keep and bear arms for their citizens.

Idaho’s Quality Arms, an AR-15 specialist, has added a page to their company’s website titled “Liberty & Justice for All.” On that page is a lengthy statement on the latest shootings and how the company feels some politicians are manipulating them for their own purposes. The page closes with this statement from Qaulity Arms:

Quality Arms Idaho

Will not supply any firearm or product, manufactured by us, or any other company nor will we warranty, repair, alter, or modify any firearm owned by any State, County or Municipality who infringes on the right of its citizens to bear arms under the 2^ndamendment.

David Saylors of Liberty Suppressors published this statement:

We at Liberty Suppressors have decided that we will no longer support the government that is oppressing the people that it was elected to represent. As of Feb. 18, 2013 and continuing until these draconian laws are repealed, Liberty Suppressors will not do business with any government entity in the state of New York until these laws are repealed.

Keep your powder dry,
David Saylors
President
Liberty Suppressors

DoubleStar Corp received almost 3,000 Facebook “likes” in the first 24 hours after they made this declaration:

The JTFOC will no longer sell prohibited items to law enforcement agencies or any government agencies in states, counties, cities, and municipalities that have enacted restrictive gun control laws against their law abiding citizens. We hope other companies will join us with their support. We applaud those already involved with this effort to protect our 2nd Amendment rights.

American Spirit Arms notched even more electronic “thumbs up” after joining the movement.

Count us in! American Spirit Arms will stand beside our fellow firearm manufacturers in the fight against new firearm legislation that imposes gun control on law-abiding citizens. As a firearm manufacturer, we are participating in the stance of only selling the firearms that law-abiding citizens can purchase in that state.

Another AR specialist, Trident Armory took a stand on Sunday night:

Sunday night, 9pm. As of this moment, all contract bids and offers, as well as any current production contracts for any and all US government agencies and affiliates by Trident Armory are null and void.

“We will no longer participate with, or work for a government where the “rights” of the people are able to be adjusted by the whim of the government”.” I will not build guns which can be used to disarm my fellow Americans”

David Hunsucker, CEO of Head Down Firearms encouraged other manufacturers to join his company and others:

Head Down would like to announce that the State of New York, any Law Enforcement Departments, Law Enforcement Officers, First Responders within the State of New York, or any New York State government entity or employee of such an entity – will no longer be served as customers. We feel that the passage of this legislation exceeds the authority granted to the government of New York by its citizens, and violates the Constitution of the United States. This announcement is effective today and applies to any and all states that may adopt such laws in the future.

Retailer J&G Sales has a special page dedicated to their position as it concerns sales to law enforcement. Part of the page long statement includes an admission that this decision will cost the company money:

J&G believes that there should not be a difference between the rights of citizens and those of government employees. This new policy will also help us to be sure we avoid the consequences of not conforming with the anti-firearm regulations in these various jurisdictions.

We expect to lose some revenue from government purchases, however we feel it is essential to defend the US Constitution by making a statement about the importance of the Second Amendment in maintaining all our freedoms.

We await the day when all law abiding citizens will be able to possess the most effective means and tools available for self-defense regardless of where they live or for whom they work.

In addition to the growing list of companies taking this action, there is an online coalition working to keep the pressure on manufacturers.

Image: Firearms Policy Coalition

Firearms Policy Coalition offers a digital option for those wishing to send an email encouraging companies to get on board with this movement. And for those who like snail mail, FPC offers a sample letter and a fairly comprehensive list of street addresses.

(H/T to NC Gun Blog for maintaining this list)

Editor’s Note: TheBlaze’s Mike Opelka joined Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker to discuss this story on Thursday’s BlazeCast:

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (334)

heidihoneighbor
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:19am
SSorry blaze but your software for posting is junk. We spend the time to post using a droid and it only posts half the time.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- MachIV
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:22pm
  I agree. The forum section of The Blaze has been a trainwreck since it began. The sort function on the comments has NEVER worked since day one. They should make it so replies go to your email or some subaccount where you receive them and can easily reply.
  
  Report this comment
heidihoneighbor
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:15am
II want to see midway usa, si suar, Georgia arms, stag arms, diamondhead, and magpul all on that list.

I want to see all the big names i didnt mention as well, like rmj, glock, rock river, etc.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Chuck T
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:13am
It is good to see that more and more gun manufacturers and related companies are stepping up to support the Second Amendment – and by extension, the Constitution itself. Even though I’m sure the companies’ owners realize the vindictiveness of government will cause repercussions even if the bans are lifted, they are standing on principle, something that a lot more people, in and out of government, should consider doing.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Joyzee
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:10am
Send the Infringed’ers as first Responder’s..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
MachIV
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 7:07am
Until Glock & Sig stand up on this issue, it’s all just symbolic. With everything that’s going on, I stand on what I’ve said for a number of years. We are finished with trying to fix the mess this country is headed for at the ballot box. Secession now…..secession forever. Anything short of that will effect NOTHING.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ObserverOnTheHill
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 6:55am
see what happens in other countries when guns are confiscated

http://gunsandweapons.com/index.php/home/all-gun-news/62-genocide-chart-related-to-gun-control

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
John WIS.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 6:54am
Stopping the sales to a state or federal entity, is the right way to go about this.

But because many LEO’s purchase their weapons on their own, banning the sales to them would not be a good thing to do.

Their are many in law enforcement, who are not supporting these laws being pushed through…and they are voicing it to their C.O.’s. The C.O.’s need to start voicing it to the elected officials.

Just like the quote from Armalite…we need to support them in this!……and start berating the elected officials instead…and berate them hard and often.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
sacwoodpusher
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 5:54am
When two drug dealers shoot eash other, or when criminals kill each other, the deaths get listed as gun crime. Remember that dirtbags killing each other is counted in the gun crime statistics. The shouldn’t be, but are.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
mouseco
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 5:54am
Im soooooooooo proud of all you manufactures. Now you need to lower your prices so us poor people can load up on firearms too and all the other neet gear. Your cash registwers will ring out loud. The more firearms out there the less these commies will open their commie mouths we the people will show this commie govenment to the door. Again thanks for your suport. GOD Bless you all.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
welldoneson
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 5:02am
Americans need to stop electing people whose ideology allows them to partake of every vice imaginable, since their mission is to destroy the infidel. Don’t think that’s what’s going on? Why, then, does this administration give fighter jets and tanks and billions of dollars to a country now run by hard line Islamists, while scolding Americans for having too many bullets in their guns? Who votes for such crap?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
cowboy357
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:36am
So let me get this straight…..some one who can pass a background check buys guns and then sells them to someone who can’t pass. Hmmmm sounds like there might just be a thing called straw purchase I think that’s already a violation but hard to keep track since there are so many gun laws already on the books.Yup then all we have to do is pass universal background checks for buying crack and meth maybe for immigration and voting too. Man look how easy we can solve problems with just another law.
Smuggling nah that could never happen.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- cowboy357
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 4:43am
  Oh yes and Armalite nice job on the hinge on the 180b you guys sure messed that up.Qualify not !
  
  Report this comment
chicago76
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:41am
Armalite is a George Soros owned company. He owns bushmaster and remington also. Remington just quietly got the contract to supply guns for the military. I will not buy bushmaster again. We will find no support from any of these companies. In fact George Soros involvement assures that he is trying to monopolize sales of his companies guns and Gun control will help him.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
sailor310
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:32am
When Colt, Smith and Wesson, and Glock stop selling to Government entities, this stand will mean something.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- tharpdevenport
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 3:10am
  I really enjoyed a short-lived TV series called “Vengeance Unlimited”. But the show had overtly left-wing garbage shoved into half a dozen episodes.
  
  I remember one episode was about an evil gun manufacturer called “Block”, and Block was elling guns to a white supremecist group under the table. And as I recall a Congressman was helping.
  
  Glock, this is what the left thinks of you. Have any doubts, just do your own research; this isn’t limited to an obscure television show from the mid ’90′s.
  
  Report this comment
AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:31am
NS armalite, that’s No Sale. Im in market for a few new toys, but Not yours now.!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
tharpdevenport
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:08am
DoubleStar Corp. appears to have a little double speak going on in their comment.

They won’t sell any prohibited firearms? Okay, we’ll just assume they mispoke there and they didn’t mean that they were previously selling prohibited weapons, but rather they meant they would no longer sell firearms which are prohibited under the laws in New York and other states doing these laws.

So, assuming that, I read between the lines and come up with: We’ll sell you any other firearm and offer any other service though . No problem with selling you those!

Attention West Fork: after Colorado, it’s “you’re”, not “your”, in the additional statement.

And I don’t mean to be rude or tear into any of these suppliers, but they sure picked a nifty time to finally start doing the right thing. Lest they haven’t noticed, the 2nd Amendment has already been trampled on and we are already restricted in the ability to bear several types of firearms which are now either only permitted for Army and Navy use (etc.) or banned entirely.
You may these are aggrevious weapons and no regular American needs to bear those type of arms, but either people kill people or guns kill people. It’s not both ways on certain types of firearms.

Also, New York’s latest tyrannical moves are just more aggrevious. As it stands before this, the laws are so tough there as to make it almost impossibly for a citizen to own a gun, and even if they can, it’s costly. And if you are not from NY and br

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Case_Logic
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:04am
Thank you gun makers for your commitment in standing with us in the defense of our US Constitution!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- AbrahamsSheepdog
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:33am
  You nailed it.
  
  Report this comment
RaydocX
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:22am
S&W need to rename their M&P to Military & Citizen or leave it m n p but call it military and patriot
The big manufacturers need to vote for the 2nd amendment or we need to remember.

Not that armalite is wrong: any legislator voting for such bills needs to be fired.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RestoreCapitalism
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:10am
Very commendable gentlemen & ladies. Hold strong to the American spirit, and to freedom.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
sandrunner
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:02am
I have deep concerns for all police officers…I have been hearing reports that the majority or the police officers are against for the right to bear arms for law abiding citizens. and are willing to violate our 4th amendment right of unlawful search and seizure…to become the very enemy of the people.

Then I hear reports of elected sheriffs are standing for the 2nd Amendment. If that is the case?

Are We the People have to be worried that the police officers are the ones TO FEAR and not the criminals?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RaydocX
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 1:25am
  @sand, rank and file support the second amendment, they see the streets.
  
  Police brass in almost any city over 50,000 or so is a political creature and will be swayed by the ‘gifts’ offered by Dems, spending our tax dollars to gain official support to take our natural right.
  
  Report this comment
- chicago76
  Posted on February 21, 2013 at 2:44am
  The police are union. Sheriffs are not. The unions are full of zombies who will stand behind the Great One.
  
  Report this comment
Chancellor
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:48am
Now if the people of the United States would stand up for themselves and shut the Country down until ALL members of this Government step down and are replaced.

Those found to be found guilty of Treason branded, all possesions taken and sold to help pay off the debt. Then forced to leave this Country with nothing but the shirts on they’re backs. If ever they or they’re families caught back in this Country to be shot on sight!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
shogun459
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:13am
If M16 manufacturers canceled Gov. contracts Obama would be forced to Nationalize them in the name of National Security. Any President would, unfortunatly Obama will use it as an excuse to trapple more of the Constitution into the dirt.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
shogun459
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:08am
THANK GOD! It’s about time.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
mrfred
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 12:08am
Smith & Wesson happily operates in a very liberal anti-gun state: Mass. So does Beretta Arms in Maryland. These and others are fat and happy in their contracts with state and local police departments as well as private security firms. Private gun owners are a small but important part of their business. If the NRA has any balls at all, it should put some pressure where it counts. Tell these companies to take a stand.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ThoreauHD
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:41pm
BARRET MANUFACTURING will also no longer sell to law enforcement in gun confiscation States.

http://barrett.net/news/11

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
bcanddc
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:23pm
I understand what ArmaLite is trying to do. They don’t want to deprive individual officers from purchasing their rifles for themselves. I understand they are law enforcement officers themselves and I get it.

Here’s the problem though. If they cut off all sales, even private sales to officers in New York, the laws will change even faster!!! What do you think Cuomo will do when he is getting flooded by calls from officers to ditch the law?

Grow a sack ArmaLite and cut it off entirely! You have to understand if you are a firearms manufacturer or seller that as soon as they eliminate the civilian market, you all go out of business. You can’t survive on just law enforcement sales and that goes for Glock, Ruger, Colt’s, Winchester and all the rest of the big boys.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.