Posted on 04/07/2006 6:34:45 PM PDT by Copernicus
When does customization of a firearm become manufacturing? That seemingly simple question is occupying the near undivided attention of the firearms industry. Observers say it is a question with the potential to become a firestorm that could put custom gunsmiths out of business; if not behind bars.
The controversy began with a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms inspection of Competitive Edge Gunworks in Bogard, Missouri. BATF and tax agents appeared and began examining the company's records. When they finished, owner Larry Crow was told he potentially faced felony charges for manufacturing firearms without a license.
Crow says he was stunned.
Agents went on to tell him that his manufacturing status would mean liability for federal excise taxes - and penalties - from the beginning of his business. There is, they told the thunderstruck Crow, no statute of limitations for failing to file Federal Excise Taxes, but there were serious penalties.
"I'm confused, " an obviously shaken Crow told The Outdoor Wire during a telephone conversation last Thursday, "and more than a little concerned."
Since the BATF visit, Crow hasn't done any gunsmithing, but has initiated the licensure process necessary to change his classification from gunsmith to manufacturer. He also says he's agreed with the BATF to settle the whole matter as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Crow says he's struggling financially, but despite the costs of waiting for his licensure process to be completed, he told The Outdoor Wire "I'm not doing any more work until the manufacturing paperwork's complete."
Whether Crow's is a single case brought by an overzealous agent or the opening shot of a BATF campaign against gunsmiths has the entire firearms industry abuzz.
Congress tried but there was not enough support to pass an extension.
W publicly supported renewing the AWB. Our (then) conservative house and barely Republican Senate did not send him the bill. He would have signed it.
You are right , I remember now, I stand corrected. But I think he knew it would never get there. Remember he has to do politics also.
Exactly. He not only has been no friend of gun owners he has tended to be our enemy except when it was politically expedient.
I disagree, W has not been our enemy and I sincerely rebuke you for saying so.
We haven't had to worry about a big anti-gun bill since Clinton's assault weapons ban of 1994.
The politicians ('rats) realized it was political suicide for them when they lost a lot of people as a result.
Even Clinton admitted this.
Sorry, that's John Ross.
Speak for yourself. I've voted Constitution Party in the last two presidential elections and received nothing but scorn from the so-called "conservatives" on Freerepublic. You can resolve all you want....but you republicat robots would vote for Giuliani or McCain if either got the nomination.
Thanks for the correction, you are right.
That book should be required reading for every citizen.
I donated a copy to my city's public library in memory of a dead neighbor who was a WW II vet.
NRA life member
This Republican votes pro-gun first. Better to have a dem in the WH and a conservative congress than have a conservative congress and McCain or Giuliani banning the Bill of Rights thinking they have a mandate.
Check out my home page.
Whenever people get so down on W that they mention regret, I just think, what would President Gore or President Kerry do?
Sorry for the shock, take an aspirin and a hit from the defibrillator!
Hell's bells.
No politician is the friend of anyone except him/herself.
Bush has been good about gun control. No big bills passed on his watch.
But I worry about the future. I sure wouldn't feel free without my guns.
I'd rather be dead than without them.
Why isn't there a gunsmiths union? Someone who can actually get Uncle Sam's attention with a lawsuit.
I should have prefaced that with (or maybe I did and you clipped part of it off) "I hate to say it, but..."
I don't want to feel this way. But when I see a guy who ran a legal business and not ran afoul of the law get harassed out of business by cops who are abusing their authority... it makes me bitter. I would never be happy with anyone in law enforcement's death. Nor any needless death of an American. But I can't muster sympathy for an out of control police group.
ping
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