Gunmakers threaten to boycott sales to states with gun laws


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SALT LAKE CITY — In the growing debate about gun control and the various laws proposed to restrict firearms and magazine capacity, some firearm manufacturers around the nation are threatening to pull back.

More than 70 U.S. companies, ranging from gun shops to gun machinists, are calling for an end to "the police loophole" through a reverse boycott to local and state governments that enact any legislation that infringes upon the Second Amendment.

The companies are publicly refusing to sell any weapons or gear to police where governments have banned the use by civilians.

"There are some states, counties, cities, and municipalities in our great nation that fail to allow their citizens to fully exercise their right to keep and bear arms with restrictions such as magazine capacity or types of firearms that are widely available to citizens of other states, countries, cities, and municipalities," the group's website says. "However, these government entities do not place these restrictions upon their own employees, such as police officers."

The group's website says they are not against any government agency or individual, but are against gun control.

Idaho-based company Quality Arms joined the movement, saying the company has been under attack from "liberal minded individuals who feel we are the problem of today's society." The company says politicians have jumped on the bandwagon to bolster their egos and wish to "destroy the very existence as to how and why those laws came about."

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"We at Quality Arms are against any politician, law enforcement official, and any other organization who feel it is their right and purpose to destroy the freedoms and liberties of the citizens of this country," the website says. "(We) 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 2nd amendment (sic)."

Quality Arms builds semi-automatic sporting rifles used by civilians and law enforcement agencies. Proposed laws by the federal government and some state governments would prohibit many of the firearms the company makes.

Following the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., Sen. Dianne Fienstein, D-Calif., reintroduced her Federal Assault Weapons Ban act, which would ban more than 150 firearms classified as "assault weapons." The legislation also prohibits the sale or manufacture of any magazine that is capable of 10 rounds.

The bill, which many gun advocates say limits the rights allowed under the Second Amendment, is expected to be heard on the Senate floor this week.

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Arizona-based company American Spirit Arms posted a YouTube video last week, saying the company is standing by their fellow manufacturers.

"American Spirit Arms will stand by our fellow manufacturers in the fight against gun control," the video says. "As a firearm manufacturer, we're participating in the stance of only selling firearms that law-abiding citizens can purchase in that state. American Spirit Arms asks for your support in our own campaign in the fight for gun rights."

Also joining in the reverse boycott is Maine-based manufacturer York Arms, who is attacking a recent law passed by the state of New York. The law adds to the state's existing ban on assault weapons, number of rounds allowed in magazines and strengthens mental illness rules.

"Based on the recent legislation in New York, we are prohibited from selling rifles and receivers to residents of New York. We have chosen to extend that prohibition to all governmental agencies associated with or located within New York," the York Arms website says. "We have halted sales of rifles, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, and silencers to New York governmental agencies."


(We) 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 2nd amendment (sic).

–Quality Arms


Speaking to more than a thousand people at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City Saturday, National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre urged those in attendance to contact their representatives in an effort to "protect" the rights granted under the Second Amendment.

"As we sit here tonight, we are now facing the single most devastating attack on the Second Amendment that this country has ever seen," LaPierre said.

LaPierre criticized the recent laws addressed, adding that increased background checks will only limit the Second Amendment even more.

"Don't you be fooled; there is nothing 'universal' nor 'reasonable' about (background checks)," LaPierre said. "This so-called background check is aimed at one thing: registering your guns. When another tragic 'opportunity' presents itself, that registry will be used to confiscate your guns."

Although many states are currently addressing limits to gun control, the state of Utah is attempting to loosen their laws by allowing residents of the state to open or conceal carry without a permit. Under current state law, residents can open carry without a permit if the firearm is unloaded, but must obtain a concealed weapons permit if they choose to conceal their firearm.

As of this writing, no Utah company has joined "the police loophole" group. Several companies in Idaho and others in Arizona and Montana have joined.

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Josh Furlong

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