eye opening article on guns on WSJ ... I am stunned

[srican69]

I thought the Manufacturers were pulling strings ... this shit is seriously out of control ...

WASHINGTON—One of the biggest challenges facing the Obama administration as it seeks to overhaul gun laws will be winning the cooperation of the firearms industry. Gun makers see a danger in working with the government that can be summed up in one name: Smith & Wesson.

In 2000, Smith & Wesson, then a subsidiary of the U.K.'s Tomkins PLC, signed an agreement with the Clinton administration to escape potentially ruinous lawsuits over the cost of gun violence filed by municipalities and counties. Among other things, the company promised to bar any sale of its products without a background check. It also agreed to install locks on all its guns and to develop high-tech firearms that could be fired only by their owner.

The reaction was swift. Led by gun-rights groups, dealers stopped carrying Smith & Wesson's products, and buyers melted away. The company was eventually sold for a fraction of what Tomkins initially paid.
.....

On the administration's wish list, there are a number of items that have industry support, such as stronger investigation of people rejected for gun purchases. But both gun-control and gun-rights supporters agree the differences between the industry and the government, stemming from the 2000 debacle, may have created an insurmountable barrier to cooperation.

[srican69]

1. the last paragraph in the excerpt makes me sick ...

who the fuck is holding us to ransom ..may those bastards rot in hell

[Scuba]

2. More "nothing can be done so you might as well give up" crap.

[srican69]

4. That wasnt my point ...its just that my understanding of the puppet master has evolved by reading

that article.

[bullwinkle428]

3. K&R. I recall a local RW talking head going on daily rants about Smith & Wesson

regarding their "captiulation" to gun-control advocates back when this happened.

[rrneck]

5. Link? nt

[srican69]

6. you need a subscription .. but if you have it here it is

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323783704578246063519790822.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

[rrneck]

9. Thanks!

[Recursion]

7. I remember "Boycott S&W" bumper stickers all over, unfortunately

It's a shame, because this industry cooperation is exactly what we need.

On the other hand, if all the manufacturers did it at once...

[aikoaiko]

8. There is a similar history with Ruger. The owner, Bill Ruger, said this....

Last edited Thu Jan 17, 2013, 06:08 PM - Edit history (1)

"The best way to address the firepower concern is therefore not to try to outlaw or license many millions of older and perfectly legitimate firearms (which would be a licensing effort of staggering proportions) but to prohibit the possession of high capacity magazines. By a simple, complete and unequivocal ban on large capacity magazines, all the difficulty of defining 'assault rifle' and 'semi-automatic rifles' is eliminated. The large capacity magazine itself, separate or attached to the firearm, becomes the prohibited item. A single amendment to Federal firearms laws could effectively implement these objectives."

A lot of gun guys still won't but Ruger firearms even though Bill Ruger died 11 years ago and they churn out high quality 30 round magazines, AR style rifles, and self-defense oriented pistols. Their change of tune on magazines and modern rifles and pistols has really helped their bottom line.

[freshwest]

10. Excellent solution.