Smith & Wesson chief quits over crime

CNN/Money ^ | 2/27/04 | CNN/Money

[GovernmentShrinker]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - James Joseph Minder, chairman of handgun maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., resigned after a published report revealed he'd spent as much as 15 years in prison decades ago for armed robberies and a bank heist.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Great. The Brady Bunch will have a field day with this. Doesn't anybody run pre-employment backgound checks anymore?

[Servant of the 9]

Now if the ATF doesn't decide to cancel S&Ws Class II manufacturers License.

So9

[Callahan]

I'm guessing that liberal compassion for rehabilated criminals who are now productive members of society doesn't extend to the the people involved in the evil gun industry.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I think you're on to something.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Yeah, well I'm guessing that this hard-core 2A rights supporter's compassion for gun makers doesn't extend to companies that don't exert one iota of care to make sure they don't damage our political standing. S&W is off my can-buy list.

[TomServo]

Doesn't anybody run pre-employment backgound checks anymore?

He paid his debt to society and turned his life around. Screw the Brady Bunch.

They haven't got a fraction of the gumption, drive and sheer will this guy has.

We want prisoners rehabilitated and return to society as functional, productive members. What message are we sending to those currently incarcerated and the ex-cons when we tell them they can't, they shouldn't even try and pick themselves up by their own bootstraps, because no matter - they'll always be cons.

This guy is a role model, IMO.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I'm all in favor of rehabilitated criminals getting the opportunity to become productive citizens. But installing a guy with this kind of history as Chairman of Smith & Wesson is ludicrous. It's like putting a rehabiliated child abuser at the helm of the Boy Scouts of America. Looks bad, and can only harm the organization. And besides, if he was really rehabilitated he should have disclosed his background to S&W before they made him Chairman -- his failure to do so is clear proof that he wasn't really committed to advancing the company's interests.

[rellimpank]

--and furthermore, this was out on the newswires two weeks ago--why did it suddenly start showing up now? It clearly stated then that the guy didn't personally own or even touch any firearms (in observance of the law)---and that he got there-to S&W-- through the company that bought them---

[TomServo]

Tell ya what. Read some more here, including the added link. I think you may change your mind a little about the man and the circumstances. :-)

[pabianice]

Ah, crap.

[river rat]

No effect here....
I still haven't forgiven S&W for the deal they struck with Clinton's Criminals.....

Semper Fi

[Servant of the 9]

He paid his debt to society and turned his life around. Screw the Brady Bunch.

They haven't got a fraction of the gumption, drive and sheer will this guy has.

True, but besides the point.
Federal Law has always denied convicted felons the right to own firearms, or to have a dealers or manufacturers license or to be an officer in any corp that holds one.
Otherwise convicted felons could use a FFL or Manufacturers License (actually a Tax Stamp) to sidestep the prohibition on Felons owning firearms.

He should have aplied for a pardon if he wanted to enter this business.
If he has enough stroke to become an officer or board member of S&W, he has enough stroke to get one.

So9

[Servant of the 9]

This is the press release from last month when the man took over.
He had been CEO of the Firearms subsidiary since he was recruited in 2002.

Smith & Wesson Announces
Management and Board Changes

So9

[TomServo]

The law is fine by me. Now let's haul him off to jail.

That'll teach him.

[Servant of the 9]

The law is fine by me. Now let's haul him off to jail.

That'll teach him.

Foolish.
After 30 years of a straight life, it probably never occurred to him that he couldn't be an officer of S&W without a pardon first, although I tould think reading the federal firearmns laws and rulings is something he should have done when he signed on.

I would guess it was the fired CEO, who had after all hired him, who got PO'd and leaked the story.

So9

[Servant of the 9]

I still haven't forgiven S&W for the deal they struck with Clinton's Criminals.....

Why would you blame the brand, when it is owned and managed by a completely different set of people? You have something against the machinery or the workers?

So9

[Veggie Todd]

Did he at least use a S&W?

[ClintonBeGone]

LOL who better to head a gun company.

[optik_b]

"This guy is a role model"

No sorry, convicted felons aren't by law allowed to own or possess firearms.