NH: Veteran Car Dealer Cashes in On Popularity of AR15 rifles

Gun Watch ^ | 18 June, 2016 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

A New Hampshire business is cashing in on the high popularity of the AR15 style rifles. Owner Mike Hagan is a combat vet of Afghanistan.  His company offers a veterans' discount as well.  He isn't intimidated by political correctness. From nh1.com:

Owner Mike Hagan, of Hagan's Motor Pool Auto Repair and Sales, told Fox25 that several people have taken him up on the deal so far.

“I have given away four AR-15s and one 9mm handgun, which is the other option if you don't want the AR-15,” he said.

Hagan has partnered with a nearby gun store for the promotion.

“They go to the dealer and pass their background check. If they don't pass they don't get the weapon it's that's simple,” he said.

Using popular and desirable items as a value added means of attracting customers is as old as trade.  Those who see opportunities and are willing to act on them are rewarded. 

The revelation that Hagan's Motor Pool is offering AR15 rifles with their vehicles has turned into a marketing bonanza for the company.  It is getting advertising that it could not buy for millions of dollars. 

The story is being covered at Boston.com, in the Boston Globe,  cbslocal.com in Pittsburgh, the Union Leader in New Hampshire, on fox25boston.com,  across the nation, and internationally.

Over half of paying customers in the United States associate guns with safety.  Hagan is going to bring in a lot of paying customers.  People who despise guns tend to be clustered in urban centers, and many are not interested in owning vehicles.

It is likely luck that Mike Hagan's promotion hit at a time when the media is pushing gun control as hard as it can. Promotions like this take preparation, coordination, and planning. Things veterans learn to do well. But luck is often defined as the moment that preparedness meets opportunity. 

Both have come together for Hagan's Motor Pool.

©2016 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
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[marktwain]

This is what victory looks like.

We need to reinstitute shooting sports in the High Schools.

[CopperTop]

Our local fire department was having a raffle for an AR-15 and a coupla other long guns with the same gig. If ya won you would pick it up at a local dealer after the background check just like a regular purchase.
When the local newspaper found out about it they were taken aback that they'd do this and proceeded with a barrage of whiny articles about it. The fire dept finally caved and now it's just a cash prize.

If me or momma wins we're gonna buy a pile of ammo with it and make sure to tell those chickenchits at the paper. Fugg'em.

[trebb]

We need to reinstitute shooting sports in the High Schools.

Yep - back in the '60s, my Dad got together with my shop teacher and they started a NRA sponsored training and shooting club that met in the school for the training/safety videos/dry sighting, etc. and were able to use school buses to transport us, with our weapons and ammo, to the range.

Nobody died and no terrorist Pop Tarts showed up to frighten folks.

[GailA]

My 14 yr old grandson would love that. He just got his Hunter’s certificate.

Why don’t other businesses do it, not all of us are in need of another car.

I need an adjustable bed I’d be more willing to invest the money for that...would love another hand gun of my choice, one a little more powerful than my Tarsus Ultra Lite 38 revolver, has to have a small hand grip. Can’t rack a automatic any more old Arthur has gotten the hands and arm muscles.

Any suggestions as to a little bigger one? Keep in mind the fact of the hand arthritis and weakened arm strength. Besides the small hands...we older small females don’t have the hand size many others do.

[marktwain]

Most revolvers have many different grips available.

Look for grips that fit your hand.

Taurus has the “Ribber” grips that I have found useful.

Custom grips are also available, or can easily be made for revolvers.

Lots of different grips for Smith & Wesson and Ruger revolvers.

[GailA]

My first carry piece was a small compact .38 Beretta. Ended up trading it in for the revolver as I could no longer rack it, much less clean it.

Guess like shoes you have to go and feel each one out, it’s what I did when I chose the first one. If all else fails there is the 12 gauge that could be used, I’d have to prop it on something besides my shoulder which would break from the kick back. Having brittle bones is no fun.