Posted on 12/01/2017 10:22:38 PM PST by Simon Green
They say history repeats itself. It certainly seems to in the firearms industry. Long ago, Bill Ruger supported magazine capacity limits. Back in 2000, Smith & Wesson threw in with the Clinton administration on expanding gun control. Much more recently, Springfield Armory and Rock River Arms…well…you probably know all about that. The latest gun maker that’s sure to to draw the ire of America’s gun owners: Accuracy International.
AI head honcho, Tom Irwin, doesn’t like the idea that Americans can buy bump fire stocks. As the Evening Standard is reporting,
The British maker of the most accurate sniper rifle in the world, on Friday called for greater gun controls in the US after the latest series of tragic attacks.
Speaking as he reported rising sales and profits, Tom Irwin, chief executive of Accuracy International, said it was “ridiculous” that you could legally buy devices to turn semi-automatic rifles into automatics, which are illegal in the US. Such devices were used in the Las Vegas shootings.
OK, Tom. Anything else you’d like to add about what Americans should and shouldn’t be able to own in the way of firepower?
Asked whether semi-automatics — still capable of firing rapidly — should be legal as well, he said: “Personally, I don’t think so. I can’t see the benefit.”
Have you found your pitchfork yet? Gotten on social media to try to organize a boycott of Accuracy International’s rifles? Good luck with that. You’re not in Irwin’s target market anyway.
AI makes some of the best precision bolt guns on the planet. They’re primarily sold to military and law enforcement customers all over the world and they don’t come cheap (see our reviews of the AT rifle here and two of their AX series guns here and here). Their rifles start in the mid four figures and go up from there pretty quickly.
So Irwin coming out for more restrictions on what civilians in the United States should be “allowed” to own won’t affect his company’s bottom line much at all. Retail sales represent a minuscule part of AI’s revenue. Still, it’s always good to know who’s on our side and…more importantly…who isn’t.
No, I guess I don't.
Uhh, no. What might this be?
Is this make of rifle sold to civilians in the US? I think it’s legal in most states.
Mon May 01, 2017 9:54 pm
Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms Trade Opposition to Illinois FFL Licensing Scheme for Carve-Out
Earlier today, the Illinois State Senate passed bill SB-1657 by a one-vote margin. While its prospects are still unsure in the House, if signed by Governor Bruce Rauner, the new law will mandate state licensing for all Illinois gun dealers. It will also restrict all others in Illinois to nine firearm transfers per year.
The lobbyist for the Illinois Firearms Manufacturers Association (IFMA), Jay Keller, traded that group’s opposition to the bill in exchange for a carve-out, removing Prairie State firearms manufacturers from the licensing requirements.
Two companies provide the bulk of the funding for IFMA: Springfield Armory and Rock River Arms.
.....................
At a March Senate hearing, however, Keller stated that IFMA would drop its opposition to SB-1657 and go neutral if legislators gave the state’s gun makers a pass. State Senator Don Harmon delivered on his end of the deal with an amendment exempting big box stores and manufacturers from this scheme.
With that amendment, IFMA dropped its opposition to the bill, going neutral on the witness slip. That serves as a very public position on a bill in Illinois politics. X
"That's... umm... rain. No, really... it's just rain. It isn't me pissing on your back, or anything like that. Trust me."
Thanks. Hadn’t seen that.
Apparently, this is #fakenews. From the comments on the article...
==== begin remarks
USMC says:
December 2, 2017 at 01:50
TTAG, this is fake news and you need to update this story to reflect the situation!!!
Frank Galli (the owner of SnipersHide), posted this on his site today:
“I am on the phone with Tom Irwin RIght now,
This is completely false … standby
Sniper’s Hide took the time on Friday to reach out to Tom Irwin of Accuracy International Regarding the Article in “The Evening Standard”. Tom called me that evening from a Hockey Game to set the record straight for everyone.
Within the Accuracy International Financial Disclosure were comments regarding the US election. How the election of Trump was seen as a positive for Accuracy International and the fact there was always a risk, had she been elected Hillary could have harmed the business. The quote from Tom was included
“There was always a risk that she would… ban gun imports”
The document is public and a reporter on seeing the comments regarding the US election contacted AI to say he was writing an article about it. Everything Trump is news and the fact AI mentioned support for his election makes it news.
Prior to publication, Tom spoke to the reporter and the question of Bump stocks came up. This is the majority of the article, and delivered two quotes from Tom.
“Ridiculous”
“Personally, I don’t think so. I can’t see the benefit.”
Clearly these were taken out of context and help create the headline that the “US needs greater gun controls, says rifle boss”.
Meanwhile gun control was never mentioned, nor was the topic. These two comments were about bump stocks. Not semi auto rifles, or anything else, bump stocks.
Clearly out of context, clearly meant to incite a reaction among their US market. Remember, the reporter had access to their financial documents, hurting their US sales could hurt a company that showed growth. Because they supported the outcome of the election you get a political hit job.
Tom explained, Accuracy International and Tom Irwin are not calling for more gun control in the US. And does agree with the way the article frames any of Tom’s statements. The conversation was reduced to three quotes:
“Ridiculous”
“Personally, I don’t think so. I can’t see the benefit.”
“There was always a risk that she would… ban gun imports”
With the last one about Hillary. So really you have one word and a sentence , out of a much longer discussion.
Take it from the source, Tom has spoken to me directly and can tell you this is the true definition of fake news dressed in click bait.”
Reply
USMC says:
December 2, 2017 at 01:52
And more posted by Frank:
“I spoke to Tom tonight who called me from a Hockey Game, in order to set the record straight,
AI is required to submit a financial document as most companies of this type do. The reporter had access to this document, and in it, Tom stated that the election was good for business as part of projections for the future. So the reporter, being that everything Trump is news, contacted them saying they are printing a story about what was in the document.
Tom, prior to the article reached out to reporter to make sure it was put in context, cause clearly this is the issue.
The actual conversation that is quoted, out of context and severely edited, was regarding bump stocks.
Again, this was in regards to bump stocks.
Being asked about them directly, he said, that bump stocks, were the issue, nothing to do with semi auto fire, or semi auto rifles in the US. What he did say was, it’s bad business to have a product that can cross in to “gray area” being that full auto fire is illegal in the US, and “He” did not find them useful products, in the context of what they do. The conversation was not about semi autos, it was about one thing, bump stocks.
The fact one word, “ridiculous” was quoted tells you how much of the conversation was take out of context, as well that he personally saw no use for the product is not the same as saying semi auto rifles should be controlled or outlawed. In fact there was nothing said about “gun control” especially regarding semi auto fire.
If I was asked about a bump stock would say the same thing, it’s a stupid product used by prepper dweebs more than anyone serious about this sport or industry.
You’re asking a precision rifle guy about a product designed for shooting off the hip. Context !
Accuracy International does not advocate for gun control and categorically denies the way this article represents their position.
I went to the source, I spoke to Tom and he explained this entire thing. It was taken out of context and the fact the words “Bump Stock” are not mentioned should tell you something. They were looking to make a political statement to start keying off the election comment in the disclosure, and then during the course of the interview the question was about the bump stock. All of that context is missing.
Now if you feel he was wrong, I want to hear it, but for the rest of you now crying foul, you owe him an apology.
1, for taking the side of an anti gun reporter first
2. Not asking for clarity
I await your responses”
====== End of remark
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