It’s also a sign that cops aren’t reading. They’re still sitting comfy, thinking “we’re cops, you’re not, so up yours.”
This isn’t happening just because it’s a business decision. This is happening because cops and their political hack bosses have crossed the rubicon of public opinion.
Cops used to (NB the past tense) be able to count on support from the right-of-center, gun-owning fraternity. They used to be able to count on this segment of society being on “their side” when it came time to talk about review of police conduct, LEO hiring, benefits, etc. The idea that so many companies involved in the firearms, gear, accessories and other markets would tell cops “Nope. No more double standard. You get nothing from us if law abiding citizens can’t buy it” was utterly implausible even just 10 years ago. The speed with which this is snowballing, along with the cancellation of such a large outdoors show as the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show... is really a sign for those who can read it that “this time is different.”
Cops used to be able to consider the right and gun owners their political allies. No longer. They’ve pissed in the fountain of public opinion on this one, and I, for one, am happy to see gun owners wake up and realize that law enforcement agencies and employees are *not* our friends. They’re the single biggest threat to civil liberties in this country. Not the standing military, as the Founders feared. Cops and “law enforcement” agencies like DHS, et al, are the standing army that the Founders never envisioned.
Cops ARE a standing military today. Equipment, training, tactics are all military, not peace officer.