Here's what I wrote -
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Mr. Dell:
A number of large American businesses have, over the last few years, found out the hard way that angering American firearms owners is Not A Good Thing. I rather imagine that you're now pretty well convinced of it yourself.
I have used Dell computers for years, both at home and at work, and I've recommended Dell to about a bazillion people, both privately and professionally.
But your "from the desk of" message is far from being sufficient in assuaging the damage caused by the cancellation of Mr. Weigand's order. He has nothing in his business' name that suggests that he exports anything, or that he's a terrorist or supports terrorists. He is a pistolsmith, i.e., he works on guns, specifically combat-oriented handguns. And there is nothing in that which should suggest anything about "terrorism" or "staying within the law for exports" such as you've suggested, any more than if he repaired refrigerators instead of firearms. In my opinion, both Dell's initial act of cancelling his legitimate order and your subsequent lame apology and explanation constitute what a very large number of us consider to be a very serious error in judgement.
I've been to a number of websites today where gun owners and non gun owners alike are saying that they will NOT buy or recommend Dell ever again, unless and until you issue a much more specific notice of policy change. I'm sorry to see that happen, because as I said, I've used Dell for years and would like to continue to.
Mr. Dell, there is NOTHING "terrorist" or even potentially illegal about being a gunsmith, and to think that your policy is to actually cancel an order just because a customer is a gunsmith, while you pursue checking out whether the customer might be a terrorist or be exporting illegal firearms is ludicrous at best. And to require him to sign a special waiver because he works on firearms is preposterous.
Remember K-Mart?
They made some major blunders when it came to firearms owners too, and they're filing bankruptcy. A number of very large financial institutions have been forced, due to the cancellation of so many business deals by so many firearms owners, to change their policies in regards to loans, etc., to gun owners and gun oriented businesses.
Please do the right thing and keep Dell going. Your computers are the best on the market, in my opinion. But neither I nor several million other firearms owners will continue to support Dell unless you change your policies and unless you make it plain that you have done so. I'm sorry, but offering a free laptop to Mr. Weigand just isn't going to cut it.
Sincerely,
Jefferson Adams
Yeah sure Dell. If Handgun Control Inc. orders a Dell computer, its no problem, right???
Leftist, anti-Constitution, gun-grabbers!
I have no intention of further dealings with Dell, they don't deserve my business.
I want nothing from Dell but I would gladly accept and apology to the Firearms community in general.
O.K., We now know where you stand. Let's hear from Dell:
Dear Valued Customers and Friends: We appreciate the opportunity to clarify the facts regarding a customer issue reported in the media and Dell's position on political or social issues that many of you care deeply about. Regarding Handgun Rights/Handgun Control.... Dell is a publicly-traded, customer-focused company with customers, shareholders and employees on both sides of many public, social and political issues. Our place is to serve our customers rather than to endorse or support one position over another in public debates outside the scope of our industry. We do not discriminate against any business, regardless of the products or services they sell, nor do we discriminate against individual customers. We do, however, respect the right of any organization or individual to have their own point of view. We follow all laws, rules and regulations. Regarding allegations that Dell supports Handgun Control organizations through the Dell Affiliates program... Dell as a company remains neutral on handgun rights and handgun control. Dell customers can support causes and organizations, if they choose, through Dell's affiliates program and charitable websites such as igive.com and progressivefunds.com. These sites feature links to Dell's website. Dell's affiliates program provides a way for customers to support the cause or organization of their choice through their Dell purchases. Affiliate participants, such as igive.com and progressivefunds.com, include organizations and causes on different sides of nearly every social issue. Some of the organizations participating through Dell affiliates such as igive.com and progressivefunds.com., promote handgun rights, others promote handgun control. Handgun Control Inc. (HCI) has been reported as one organization that participates in this program. Others including The Gun Owners Foundation and the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners Foundation, Inc. also participate through Dell affiliate igive.com. The only organizations prohibited from participating in Dell's affiliates program are those that promote sexually explicit material; promote violence; promote discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; or promote illegal activities. Regarding the assertion that Dell cancelled Mr. Jack Weigand's order for a notebook computer because of his firearm association... We made a mistake. Mr. Weigand's order was improperly cancelled because we did not gather the additional information required by U.S. law to process his order. Dell flagged Mr. Weigand's order (initiated under his company name Weigand's Combat Firearms) for additional follow-up (and then we failed to do so) because of the word "combat" in his company name. This internal control is in place to ensure that a domestic purchase is not redirected to an end user for a prohibited use (such as the creation and development of weapons of mass destruction) or to a country that has been restricted from receiving U.S. technology exports (such as Libya, Syria, Iran and Iraq). This due diligence is required by U.S. law. We also review orders for words such as "nuclear," "missile," and "plutonium." Dell's process excludes reviews for "guns" or "firearms." The mistake was ours because we failed to follow our process. We failed to call Mr. Weigand for information that would have satisfied legal requirements and ultimately would have resulted in completion of Mr. Weigand's transaction. We have apologized for this mistake directly to Mr. Weigand. We have tried to make it right with our customer by giving him a free computer for his trouble and inconvenience. Dell has many customers and employees who are handgun owners and enthusiasts. We know that gun owners and advocates, such as Mr. Weigand, are law abiding Americans, and as such, can understand and appreciate our efforts to comply with American export laws, while serving all customers. We have heard from many of you over the last few days, and we appreciate the opportunity to speak with you directly about these issues.
Your relationships with us, and your feedback about our products and services are crucial to our success. Sincerely, Tom Green Senior Vice President, Law and Administration Dell Computer Corporation
Conceivably the peanut gallery may have a question for Combat Handguns, Inc....