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Colt: Gun Guys’ Ban Bill Boycott Threatens CT Jobs

Robert Farago - comments No comments

 Colt AR-15 (courtesy coltsmfg.com)

“The president of one of the nation’s oldest gun manufacturers closed down his Connecticut factory Thursday morning and bused 400 of his workers to the state Capitol so they could personally urge lawmakers not to pass gun control legislation that they say could risk their livelihoods,” foxnews.com reports. Yes, well, as we pointed out in a previous post, when it comes to preventing Constitution State pols from enacting civilian disarmament legislation, a simple show of force from the firearm freedom folks ain’t gonna get it done. But the threat of job losses? That’s another matter. Over in CO, Magpul Director Duane Liptak recently repeated his company’s promise (not threat) to leave the Rocky Mountain State if Governor Hickenlooper signs a mag cap ban bill. Colt bailing on CT? Not so much. But . . .

“If we ban this product [modern sporting rifles] in the state where we make it, our customers will take their business to another brand,” he said. “When we start to get erosion of our customers, we lose our market share.” . . .

“Our customers don’t want to support the state of New York. So our customers aren’t going to want to support the state of Connecticut,” he said. “And our association is so strong with the state of Connecticut, that it’s inevitable that it’s going to begin to erode.”

So even the possibility of a consumer backlash against companies failing to support firearms equality (i.e. civilians having the same access to modern sporting rifles and “high capacity” magazine) or putting up with state MSR bans and mag limits is having an impact. At least in the PR-o-sphere.

OK, so now we’ve heard from Beretta, who promises to leave Maryland if they ban MSRs or “high capacity” magazines. Colt (ish) says they’re not moving out of CT or joining the firearms equality movement. What about MA’s Smith & Wesson? Or the Newtown-based NSSF for that matter? And when will this [rightly feared] boycott begin?

[h/t Torben]

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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 “Colt: Gun Guys’ Ban Bill Boycott Threatens CT Jobs”

  1. After wearing camo almost every day for 20+ years, I don’t want to wear, own or even look at anything else with the pattern.

    Reply
  2. It is sad witnessing people sitting around talking only with people who agree with them. All these phony statistics and comparisons of apples and oranges. Why not just say that you love guns so much that nothing that anyone would say or do would change your mind. You are clearly unwilling to give up your fetish even when presented with facts and studies that show that it is harmful to actual people as opposed to those who are affronted by the idea that society might think that their affection and action is harmful. Your fear does you no credit. Americans are supposed to be brave and willing to self sacrifice. That is the tradition that needs to be encouraged.

    Reply
  3. The UN Treaty in is Programme of Action clearly states that a nation can keep its military and police firearms for its self defense but all others must be destroyed. Ie any gun not owned by the police or military. The monopoloy on violence must belong to the government in order to promote world peace and prevent genocide, so they claim. On a similar level of logic to promote public peace self defense of the individual is denied as a basic human right (see UN Charter AND POA on the SALWT) ergo firearms ownership for the individual must also be denied.

    This is a power grab by tyrannical governments in the UN that the non tyrannical ones are all for…after all all government want more power, to move towards tyranny, as all people want power, period. They claim to be going after rocket launchers but include your hunting rifle in with said launchers to make it illegal, and now we see in the news how our AR15 and self defense semi auto handguns are “weapons of war” that are “only made for killing people”.

    This is about individual disarmament and denial of self defense, nothing more. State actors, aka governments and their weapons are EXCLUDED from this SALW treaty as per their Programme of Action. http://www.poa-iss.org/poa/poahtml.aspx

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  4. “9. Reaffirming the inherent right to individual or collective self-defence in accordance with
    Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, ”
    NOTE that ARticle 51 of the Charter says that individual self defense is NOT permissible and that the state is to provide security for citizens!!

    10. Reaffirming also the right of each State to manufacture, import and retain small arms and light weapons for its self-defence and security needs,
    NOTE that this excludes government firearms from the treaty!!!

    4. To establish, or designate as appropriate, national coordination agencies or bodies and institutional infrastructure responsible for policy guidance, research and monitoring
    Note: use tax payers money to come up with research to be used as propaganda

    16. To ensure that all confiscated, seized or collected small arms and light weapons are destroyed, subject to any legal constraints associated with the preparation of criminal prosecutions, unless another form of disposition or use has been officially authorized and provided that such weapons have been duly marked and registered.
    Note: register- confiscate (after made illegal)- destroy

    19. To destroy surplus small arms and light weapons

    20. To develop and implement, including in conflict and post-conflict situations, public awareness and confidence-building programmes
    the public destruction of surplus weapons
    NOTE: to use tax payers money to BRAINWASH people via the media etc. TEACH them to not want guns.

    41. To promote dialogue and a culture of peace by encouraging, as appropriate, education and public awareness programmes on the problems of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, involving all sectors of society.
    NOTE: Brainwash the people

    18. to develop and support action-oriented research aimed at facilitating greater awareness and better understanding
    NOTE: Brainwash the people (if you go looking for data to backup your point, that is not science)

    30. To support, where appropriate, national disarmament,

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  5. Chinese Army hires 49,000 midget Koreans to overrun America one set of kneecaps at a time!!!

    Now in theaters!!! Attack of Big Head Killer Midgets from Outer Space, Part Duex!!!

    The first time Mr and Mrs Sheen realized their son Charlie had Anger Management Problems!!

    Reply
  6. Arkansas is open for business. We just passed a bill to allow concealed carry on (some) college campuses, so that should move our Brady score down another couple of points. That’s a good way for gun makers to decide where to locate: Go for the states with the lowest scores.

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  7. The SCAR is one ugly looking rifle IMO. I also can’t stand that charging handle. Thankfully I was able to try one out prior to making a purchase. A purchase I would have regretted. I am not saying it sucks in anyway, just isn’t for me. So you fanboys calm down, no need to get your panties in a bunch.

    Reply
  8. Ted Cruz might be familiar with the Heller case…

    From wiki:
    In the landmark case of District of Columbia v. Heller, Cruz drafted the amicus brief signed by attorneys general of 31 states, which said that the D.C. handgun ban should be struck down.[18] Cruz also presented oral argument for the amici states in the companion case to Heller before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

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  9. I think I hear what you’re saying Robert.

    I remember when 20 years ago I was shooting an IPSC round in an indoor range. I was blazing fast, best time ever and dead on the money. I turned to the RO expecting to see a nod of approval and noticed he was white as a sheet. After he composed himself he explained (kind of like how a Drill Sargent “explains”) that I had listened to the instructions incorrectly. Correct number of rounds but not as ordered. He was expecting one thing and I gave him another. That was enough to make his hairs stand up. From his prospective I was out of control. Throw in the variables above and I can see how things may not go as planned. So in reality it was my worst score ever. I learned a lot that day.

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  10. I have seen civilians, non-paid-to-shoot-shooters as well as ‘Mil-Spec’ types get so goal oriented that they actually endangered their entire Team, exposing them to FF for a goal that would not have made the last page in the local paper if that paper did not have an obit. column.
    I am talking ordering 3 men in a unit to open fire in an L-shaped ambush, at night, after the “Leader” has lost radio contact with 3/4 of his team all in an effort to nab some petty thieves.
    My uncle’s unit was FamFiring 9mm SMGs lined-up on the firing line when the next man down froze as his gun went FA, the man turned towards his NCO killing him instantly. If the NCO had been standing by my uncle,,,,
    I have witnessed similar incidents with handguns. I do NOT trust anyone with my safety except myself. Especially the HooRaa wanna bees playing Soldier.

    Reply
  11. Cool, tried to log in and was shut down HARD. F-^<) knives. I'll stick to my 45, 12g and 5.56 and read all the cool-ass s$#|t on this site. I've got a couple of 10" blades in the kitchen anyway. If so!t gets that deep so be it.

    Reply
  12. Did I see this correctly?!? In the video at 5:45, guy starts a handgun engagement by loading an empty pistol with a magazine.
    A swat member can’t run with a loaded weapon at a training range? Is this any way to train and develop proper muscle memory?

    Reply
  13. Right now, that thing is just running a few algorithms to handle basic motor functions. Once the power problem is solved, there will be a push to use more complex AI. This will start on the autonomous flying units (drones) and eventually work into the “walkers”. Flying requires far less fine motor function than bi and quadrupedal balance and motion. That is still in the horse and cart phase compared to the Ferrari that it will become.

    Reply
  14. Dr. Vino and I are working hard here in California. We will have Sheriffs speaking out, and we are going to do our best to make sure they see and hear us.
    I have let Robert know we will be doing a followup on the status of the 8 bill to be heard that day.

    Reply
  15. I strongly believe in the rule to keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction and do NOT consider my hand to be a safe direction. The reliability problems may be able to be addressed but the location of the operating rods is a complete fail.

    Reply
  16. Have two 10/22’s,one for the wife and one for me.With the way things are,glad I put some .22lr back,looks like it might be next year before the ammo companies are caught up to demand.the 10/22 is a great all around rifle,plinking,hunting,and even self defense,I know I might get scorched for that last one,but out here in the country,we practice,and think about a large number of even .22’s coming at you,I think a rational person would head the opposite direction.Most of the videos I have watched show 10/22’s can hit targets out to 400 yards,I can hit them out to 250 yards as that is as far as I have for cleared shooting.A lot of people underestimate the .22lr round,it is the oldest metallic cartridge around and the most advanced,it is being improved every year,it is far from being made obsolete,you can even find around the world.Ruger .22lr handguns are really the best .22 handguns around,rugged and reliable,can almost be had to an individuals taste.Keep your powder dry.

    Reply

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