Home » Blogs » BREAKING: Ruger to Stop Selling Semis in California?

BREAKING: Ruger to Stop Selling Semis in California?

Robert Farago - comments No comments

Ruger LC9 (courtesy ruger.com)

We have one source for this story: calgunlaws.com. “In perhaps one of the more shocking discoveries at the 2014 SHOT Show, Ruger spokesperson Kevin Reid revealed that Ruger was going to let it’s entire California Semiautomatic pistol roster ‘…drop off…’ the CA Department of Justice Approved Handgun List . . . Ruger has already let some 60+ semiautomatic pistols drop off the approved handgun roster with the rest shortly to follow.” TTAG main man Dan’s on the case. We’ll post a statement here in a few hours. [h/t Mark N.]

Tags News
Photo of author

Robert Farago

Robert Farago is the former publisher of The Truth About Guns (TTAG). He started the site to explore the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns.

0 thoughts on “BREAKING: Ruger to Stop Selling Semis in California?”

  1. Yep. G26, the gun I already own and carry.

    Now if the choice was between the G19 and SIG P229, the outcome would favor the SIG. Great gun, fits me perfectly, totally reliable, outstandingly easy to shoot well. And I love the G19.

    Reply
  2. Maybe this could be a good thing. If companies let their approvals expire and no revolvers or semi-automatic pistols are purchasable wouldn’t that set California up for a lawsuit?

    Reply
  3. So they pass a law they were ill equipped to handle. Then when law abiding citizens rush on getting in under the deadline they complain about it? Really?
    Go ahead continue complaining about the gun lobby. Go ahead. It wasn’t the gun lobby that passed the law to begin with!
    The fact is the dealers followed the law. The new super cool disarmament laws didn’t change the dealers requirements, so who’s fault is that?
    Elections have consequences folks..

    Reply
  4. Well I say the heck with Californians, the residents let this happened to them. I hope all gun manufactures stop their sales to California. Let the people rise up against their state government. That will fix that problem.

    Reply
  5. I am going to call BS on this one, or at least question if MDA has anything to do with this. I can’t find this statement anywhere on the MDA site or on their Facebook page. It looks to me like Caren Teves posted this petition on credo mobilize and referenced Moms Demand Action. I see no evidence that this is a major initiative or even a real initiative endorsed by MDA.

    If anyone can find evidence better linking this to MDA please point it out.

    Reply
    • By that logic, three quarters of the firearms ever made shouldn’t have been- very few firearms ever see duty or get used defensively.
      Range use is probably the MOST practical use of all, given most people just want to be able to have some fun with their firearms and get some shots on a target when they can find ammo.
      Specifically, what constitutes ‘practical’ use?

      Reply
  6. The system of demanding costly, unreasonable, and pointless modifications and certifications to have the privilege continue to keep it’s firearms to be deemed “safe” is horribly corrupt, and no company should be subject to such a system. Quite frankly, I’m surprised all the companies haven’t banded together to fight back, and refuse to comply. Remember, the vast majority of Americans still hold 2nd rights in a positive light, if the entire industry fought back, people would take notice. It would be like if all the American automakers refused to do business with a certain state, and people would take note. Especially the state law enforcement if they suddenly found themselves subjected to the equivalent of a Barrett Option, and were unable to acquire their AR-15’s and NFA firearms that are too dangerous for the public to have.

    I hope that’s the point that Ruger is trying to make, I know it most likely isn’t though.

    Sorry to all Californians, but I agree with Ruger to refuse to continue doing business in your state.

    Reply
  7. “By the same logic people wouldn’t have to earn a drivers license unless it was proven they were incompetent behind the wheel.”

    By that same logic, every single person who wants to publish an opinion should have to earn that right, too.

    Let that sink in. The gun-hating bigots on the Left want us to EARN any human rights they don’t personally exercise.

    Thus, we are buying more guns and stocking up on ammo — in case they ever leave us no choice but to show them the meaning and purpose of the Second Amendment.

    Reply
  8. Can’t blame Ruger for a valid business decision. Does it suck for people in CA that wanted a Ruger? Yes. But I, for one, have no desire to pay for the costs of compliance when I buy a Ruger in GA.

    Want to buy a new Ruger? Great, change the state legislature.

    Reply
  9. I propose that instead of “he who shall not be named”, we substitute “pathetic turd” for the killer’s name in all news coverage.

    Reply
  10. I would love to buy both of these guns, but Kel-Tec doesn’t make enough of either to make them available or at a reasonable cost. How does this company even stay afloat? If they cannot manufacture enough to meet demand, why won’t they license their designs for third-party manufacture?

    Reply
  11. Lanza provided the best proof yet that all this media attention to these twerps should stop. Lanza’s spreadsheet was a way of reckoning how much media impact he’d have relative to other killers’ exploits.

    The media complex is complicit in all types of mass killings, including terrorism. Ever wonder why terrorists pick large, urban areas with heavy media presence to pull off their attacks? The terrorist is a political animal. He needs and craves attention. If Al Qaeda tried to attack something in Wyoming and we had them shot up and dropped down an an old mine shaft in time to break for lunch, how much media coverage would they get? About as much as the blizzards and storms here in Wyoming; ie, it is mentioned for one day and we’re done with it.

    Reply
  12. What’s the weather report in Hades? They went from demonizing people in their own forums for suggesting that a solution to gun violence include a focus on mental health and now they’re suggesting a focus on the media coverage which many mental health professionals have said can trigger these individuals by showing a way they can become “nihilistic rock stars.”

    I say we really their them for a loop and agree when they get something right. Combine this with Watts’recent statement about not wanting to ban guns and being a gun owner and maybe we can get them into a corner where they cannot return to advocating gun control without appearing blatantly hypocritical and losing a great deal of credibility.

    Reply
  13. Kel-Tec extensively used 3D printing to prototype their new RMR-30 carbine, …

    Somehow, I’m missing the news flash here. That’s what 3-D printers are for – rapid prototyping.

    Reply
  14. From a psychological standpoint this sort of thing makes a lot of sense. The motivations behind random mass killings (as opposed to gang- or domestic-related ones) is the desire of the perps for publicity. We should throttle this. No pictures, all manifestos sealed as evidence, no names released. The angry and disenchanted should know that killing people won’t get them anything but a cell in the memory hole. I think “he who shall not be named” is over the top, just a number will do. “Today there was a tragedy in XXX, XXXX, as a shooter, suspect #57463874, opened fire in a mall”.

    Reply
  15. I’m sure the antis will be glad.
    But in Ruger’s defense, California has been giving manufacturers a hard time about even minor changes to existing models, like adding an ambi safety or interchangable backstraps, saying those changes are “substantial” and require a whole new recertifcation process. Which would mean having to add microstamping.

    As for losing a chunk of the market, Ruger can’t make guns fast enough to meet demand. I doubt getting out of the California semi-auto market is going to have any effect on their business.

    Reply
  16. Well yeah, but how many reckless fights broke out and were settled by gun violence in the restaurant that day?!? Huh?! Tell me!

    Oh, what’s that? None you say? Zero incidents? I’ll be quiet now.

    Reply
  17. I remember once reading about Harvey Milk doing this in San Francisco. He would get a large group of gay activists together and spend a bunch of money at local retail establishments. Afterwards, the retailer would get a sticker that shows their business was “gay friendly”. The retailer would affix the sticker to their storefront and their sales would increase. Eventually, businesses all over town were asking how they could get one of those stickers. This “sticker in the window” is still in practice today.

    Perhaps, a 2A sticker of some sort could be given to these retailers. Something subtle, but identifiable to those who know.

    Reply
  18. Let’s not all get mad at Ruger for saying they don’t want to do business in California. Others don’t do business here either.

    They’re not the first and won’t be the last.

    Reply
  19. Is the difference between this and what happened with Starbucks and pretty much the entire state of California just the “calling ahead” part?

    Reply
  20. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Should the media refrain? sure. Did they send this to youtube, liveleak, wikileaks, and the 4 million other ways people who have to rubber neck will seek the information? Will the media actually refrain? doubtful. They barely refrain with troop movements when actual lives are on the line.

    Reply
  21. This is a monthly get together held at a different locations. I’ve attended 4 or five over the last year. Usually a couple of hoplophobes see guns and panic. I don’t believe anyone called the police this time.
    The owner was very nice, and very pleased to have us.

    Reply
  22. No, I disagree. Removing the perpetrators name achieves nothing. The act is already done and referring to the person as anything other than their name starts to shift the blame and focus off the individual by anonymizing them. This won’t get people to stop shooting up schools or whatever, they still get notoriety one way or the other if that is what they are after.

    IMO not naming the person is the first step towards plugging your ears yelling nah nah nah nah and pretending nothing happened.

    Public shaming on the other hand is appealing but with the way the media reports anything they can make fit, regardless of how tenuous the link or correct the information is, requires a caveat. They can shame and name all they want as long as they have checked their facts so the right person is getting the heat.

    An added benefit of naming the perpetrator is that they are being publicly shamed by the very act of naming them. But if that made a difference to any of these psychos, they wouldn’t perpetrate their crimes in the first place.

    No matter what we all think and how much we debate this, I doubt going off and killing a bunch of people is as simple as “well I saw some other guy do it”; it may be a factor but I don’t think it is the whole of it.

    Reply
  23. I wonder if those new forends are going to have a key hole mods as well? can’t wait to the try some of the new stuff out I’m a big fan of ALG!! keep up the good work Amy.

    Reply
  24. In theory, not revealing the perpetrator to the general public would make it easier to stage such an event or warp what actually happened in the media.

    I don’t think there are a lot of people who idolize these losers, to be honest. Let those who would get caught doing so and enjoy a trip to the psych ward. I for one want to know exactly what kind of person is murdering my fellow citizens and why.

    Reply
  25. No. Free flow of information is paramount. Closing ones eyes and pretending the murderer doesn’t have a name isn’t going to make the problem go away. Real freedom and openess is dangerous and scary. I say embrace it. Let’s absorb all the good and the bad.

    Reply
  26. Is it just me or are all these AR-15s starting to bleed together and merge into an AR-15… I just need to say screw it and buy a damned Colt. I am having trouble sorting through the ever increasing manufacturers, options, models, etc. Being overloaded by differences that I’m not sure I even care about when the truth is a Colt LE6920 with a detachable carry handle would probably do everything I would ever ask it to do.

    God, but I hope I’m not a FUDD.

    Reply
  27. The amount of ad hominem, character assassination and outright distortion is shocking. Metcalf is as much a “gun guy” as anybody, and what he wrote was intended to spark constructive conversation. The very reaction some are having prove his point! He writes:

    “Both sides believe they have the American mainstream on their side. But when Second Amendment supporters argue it is unconstitutional to bar convicted felons from acquiring guns, the American mainstream stops listening. When Second Amendment supporters argue it is unconstitutional to require any training whatsoever before carrying a concealed firearm in public, the American mainstream stops listening. Likewise, when anti-gunners call for the repeal of the Second Amendment and the prohibition of citizen firearms ownership, the American mainstream stops listening. When extremist anti-gun and anti-hunting voices aim death threats at the children of those who would bid on a license to legally cull an African game animal and donate the proceeds to endangered-species conservation, the American mainstream cringes.”

    He knows that the facts ARE on our side and that we are never going to win the day by alienating 50% of the voters. He also knows we won’t solve anything without working together when he writes:

    “All Americans want to find ways to keep horrors like Newtown from happening. But Americans need solutions, not political placebos or public relations gestures. And certainly not more hate speech. Not since the Civil War has there been a greater need in this country for reasoned, civil discourse instead of extremist rhetoric. Never has it been more important for our public officials and our corporate leaders to make rational decisions instead of bowing down to the strident voices of a radical few.”

    There MUST be room for reasoned discourse, especially among we People of the Gun. Before putting torch to the stake, at least get the facts:
    http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/01/guns-second-amendment-target-me-102133.html?ml=m_u1_1#.Utb2KfRDuSr

    Reply
  28. They’re right. No point in disagreeing with them just because they said it. If they weren’t going to be remembered the way they are, what reason would a shooter have to go out and kill a bunch of people?

    Reply
  29. People I know have been saying this for a long time. I think MDA might have just grabbed it off the net as a way to make them look less crazy and more relevent.

    Absolutely I agree with it. I remember some story from ancient Rome or Greece where a guy burned down a major monument in order to have his place recorded in history. The king or lord of the land decreed that no one should ever speak his name. I think we should follow a similar policy.

    Reply
  30. You guys could have saved a ton of travel expenses by just publishing one article titled “SHOT Show: The Same AR-15 Two Dozen Times”… Aside from the Remington R51, is there anything that’s actually, honestly *new* at that show?

    Reply
  31. Maybe Kel-Tec is hoping to make their money licensing their patents out instead of actually manufacturing the guns themselves.

    Reply
  32. Keltec is like the Fisker of the gun industry. They have the means to design the weapons but not the means to manufacture them. Keltec needs to team up with another company that has the manufacturing capability to produce the demanded quantity.

    Reply
  33. psst….guys, you’re missing another new cool piece from ALG – the QD swing swivel shown in that pic is ALG’s new iteration of the design, looks really promising because of how flat and compact it is. Around $30 iirc.

    Reply
  34. What I don’t get is how Keltec doesn’t realize they could make so much by licensing their designs. Their stuff may sell over MSRP at retail because of their rarity but when they sell to distributors they are still making the same rate below MSRP as if they were common.

    Licensing sales to a big company = tons of money

    Reply
  35. Love the ability to use the DPMs mags. How about a threaded barrel? Also the Ruger has build in iron sights in addition to the rail.

    Any word on a lefty version?

    Reply
  36. If Ruger follows through on this, fine, but only if they drop all LE (agency and individual officer) sales in the state as well.

    If they refuse to sell to citizens, but continue to sell to the government, I would hope that those of you in the free states will cease doing business with them.

    Reply
  37. This is incredibly stupid.
    1) it’s a Taurus

    2) small grip is bad with heavy perceived recoil

    3) the exposed portions will collect dirt and grime.

    Who conceived this? I’d rather have a Hipoint!

    Reply
  38. No thanks. Mossberg stuck me a year or so ago with one of their balky 308 bolt guns and would not make good on it. They are dead to me know.

    Reply
  39. Where does the 1913 rail mount to? How can it be a rifle without rails? I kid, I kid!

    Like everyone else, I’ve wanted a Sharpes rifle ever since Quigley Down Under. It’s a beautifully elegant rifle.

    Reply
  40. Oh…I see….no more info needed nor required to understand how those of science based belief factors into the ideology of wannabes.

    Got it!!

    Reply
  41. +1 on the Lasermax BS. Mine ate batteries every month from sitting in the safe. Sent it back and they did something and it magically worked like it should.

    Reply
  42. I’ve been hoping that they would up-size the MVP to a larger caliber. My budget does not allow for many guns so I’m trying to have one of each main type of gun. I’ve got an O/U and pump shotgun, snubbie revolver, and full size automatic pistol, but no rifles. My plan was for a smaller caliber semi-auto and a larger caliber bolt action. I really liked the MVP but it didn’t have enough boom, this just might be the ticket.

    Reply
  43. Zhe German seems out of place. I’m sure it’s a fine piece, but why should a free man, able to easily buy multiple rifles, be bothered?

    Reply
  44. It’s scary how they keep saying, “sensible,” “common sense,” and, “moderate voices,” all while they are being emotional, dogmatic, and extremist.
    In the end they produce something dangerous and un-Constitutional and brag about how they plan to continue the trend.

    Reply
  45. Well, well, well…
    Slightly OT,

    Cars don’t kill people, irresponsible drivers do

    Every year, tens of thousands of people are killed in auto collisions. In 2012, there were over 34,000 fatalities in the United States alone. This ad from Pakistani newspaper the Frontier Post puts the issue in context.
    http://greatergreaterwashington.org/image.cgi?src=201401/161111.jpg&ref=21408
    Image from the Frontier Post.

    Over the past 11 years, I have gotten around primarily as a pedestrian and transit user. I’ve had far too many close calls with drivers who are distracted or who are acting irresponsibly.

    Now it seems the DC limo libs are beginning to adopt our tactics for their cause. Interesting…

    Reply
  46. You are never under a legal obligation to answer a police officer’s questions, and it never helps in a traffic stop. There are no awards for answering 10 out of 10 questions correctly.

    Best advice is pretend you don’t speak English. If you can’t fake that, then “Good morning officer, I understand you have a job to do, but I am not going to answer your questions.” Immediate answer will be “why not!?” to which you reply, “That is a question, and I just told you, I’m not going to answer your questions.”

    Reply
  47. Imagine renting that car, getting pulled over, and having to explain to an “officer” that that’s not your rifle and that you didn’t even know it was there.

    Reply
  48. I was married to the most attractive woman on the planet:
    3rd degree burns to face, chest, arms, hands. She should have died. Despite extreme pain she insisted on making me coffee every morning before she left to run her business.
    There is no ‘Try’, there is only ‘Do’ or ‘Not Do’
    That is the gift she left me with.

    Reply
  49. I’m so excited about all of the good stuff I received for Christmas that I don’t know if I should whack off my *&%$ in the shower or dry fire my Glock for an hour.

    Reply
  50. Good thing Mr. Asshat belongs to the party of “tolerance”.

    It would be refreshing if we could split up the country. Let the northeast and California form their own country and kick out all the Bible thumping, baby loving cooks to go live with the rest of us rubes in flyover country. In 2 years NY would look like Haiti and the rest of us could bask in the schadenfreude.

    Reply
  51. First off, Colt isn’t milking anything. Im not a big fan of 380’s. Don’t really like the mustang but the writer and many others need to know the history of the 1911. Browning brought in the original 1911 design. Colt engineers along with Browning made changes to the gun. 1 example, Colt added the grip safety. It wasn’t just Browning all the way. Colt had a big hand in the finished product. Know your history before making statements.

    Reply
  52. It was only a mater of time for politicians on the left and the rest none believing Americans and for the most part we know who they are and there origin and mainly there believes.We True Americans who Believing in or 2nd Amendment rights and are ready to defend that God given right and what our four Fathers be use fought and died for and to this day we have proud young Americans giving there blood and life to defend our right to be free and up hold the Constitution of the United States of America .So you bunch of ideology numb nuts ya that in clued’ s Dum and Dummer in the white house we will prevail.What am afraid of and most likely to happen is when the powers to be tries to disarm the public will set off a civil war in tell petting legal gun owners against the government in a battle that will make the civil war look like a bar room brawl,But i hope to God it does not play out this way in the end .

    Reply
  53. Does this mean these companies are also not selling to the California government for police or enforcement purposes? That would be ideal, and operate as a deterrent to state governments (that need guns to enforce their anti-gun laws) from passing said laws.

    Reply

Leave a Comment