Posted on 10/31/2003 5:58:27 AM PST by Long Cut
The ArmaLite® Post-PostBan ™ Rifle Program
Fact: Unless reauthorized or replaced with a worse program, the Assault Weapon Act of 1994 will expire in September, 2004.
Possible outcomes are:
“Reauthorization,” i.e. no change in the law.
Replacement with a worse law, even to the possibility that production is halted.
Expiration of the law.
Expiration for only a short time, and then be reauthorization or worse.
The AW Ban is a cosmetic law, and we’d all like to own rifles without the blemishes that it established. If the law expires, there’s plenty of time to wait for a new rifle with “pre-ban” characteristics. If any of the other three outcomes occur, a delay could be a real mistake. The purpose of the PPB program is to prepare purchasers for any outcome.
The program offers customers a way to avoid the risk of delay, yet also have the benefits of a change in law. The opportunity is provided by the design of ArmaLite’s® 2003 rifles.
1. Beginning immediately, ArmaLite® 2003 rifles (with a pinned muzzle brake, or none installed) ship with a certificate that will provide customers a pin-on flash suppressor and installation instructions at no charge. Unless earlier legislation makes it illegal for customers to install the device, flash suppressors will ship in summer 2004 to allow time to get the rifle modified even if there’s an opportunity of only a few days.
Until the law changes, the flash suppressor will provide a reminder to every customer that it is essential to get out the vote in 2004.
2. For customers who wish to go an extra step and install a bayonet lug, ArmaLite® will continue to sell pin-on sight bases with bayonet lugs, and will provide installation instructions for gunsmiths. All ArmaLite® clamping front sight bases are easily removable, with no pin-holes in the barrel, so pin-on bases can be easily installed.
3. For customers who wish to be able to convert their rifle to a “Pre-Ban” configuration immediately upon expiration, ArmaLite® will produce and sell AR-10™ collapsing buttstocks (the AR-10™ requires a special collapsing buttstock). It is likely that prompt installation of such a buttstock will allow customers to make other changes at a more leisurely pace.
Installation of options 2 and 3 both are already available for law enforcement customers (with proper rifle markings). Civil customers must await a change in the law, and flash suppressors, bayonet lugs, and collapsing stocks will all be accompanied by clear information about the law to prevent a violation.
4. Pre-2003 rifles with pinned front sight bases or threaded-pinned-welded brakes, or customers who wish threaded brakes on 2003 models instead of pinned ones, require gunsmith or factory replacement of those parts. ArmaLite® offers the components for sale, and will perform conversions at normal shop charges.
Mark A. Westrom
President
Companies like this, who take a stance and actually DO something for their customers, should be supported. I just wish more of them would go public with stances like this.
BTW, Armalite also has been making a LOT of weapons used by our troops in the war.
Aside from the obvious feature of being able to bayonet wounded woodchucks [that's a joke, son], can anybody give me any practical reason to go to all the trouble to convert it into a PPB configuration?
Plus, an AR-15 clone nowadays would blow a $1000+ hole in my wallet, and I DO have to convince Mrs. Cut that this is a good idea...
Lastly, well, it's kind of like why one would put fancy paint and wheels on a sports car.
However, such weapons are quite fun to shoot, are robust and reliable, and are quite versatile. They are also lightweight and easy to use and train on. Plus, the ammo is relatively inexpensive.
A bit too rich for my blood. And I'm mainly going to use it for personal enjoyment at the range and for plinking.
Errr, tell me what it is you think "such a weapon" can be used for that is different from what a firearm not covered by the AWB can be used for?
Simple, to protect my family, home and liberties should the need ever arise.
Secondarily, they are great coyote guns out here in the west.
I use an FAL.
Actually, the .223 round is an excellent small-game round.
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