What one company is doing about the AWB and its possible Sunset

Armalite website ^ | unk | Mark A. Westrom

[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

[Jeff Head]

I also teach my children to do the same.

Here's my then eleven year old with a Rueger Mini-14.

He's now 14, very level-headed, astute on gun safety... and a crack shot

[WorkingClassFilth]

10) For just plain fun.
9) To sharpen shooting skills.
8) To participate in organized matches for high power military rifles in conjunction with the government's DCM program.
7) For all the same reasons that anyone that owns any other rifle has that particular rifle.
6) Because we can.
5) Because the government doesn't want you to.
4) For investment purposes.
3) For collections.
2) For utility, durability and function in hostile environments.

And the number one reason from the founding Fathers...

1) For use against enemies foreign and domestic.

[Long Cut]

I was looking at those, but all the good ones (DPMS, Entreprise) are a bit much for an E-6's pay.

My thought is that the gun, 5 mags of normal size, sling, and cleaning accessories should NOT exceed $1,000.00. That way, more practice ammo can be had, and more range time.

[Steely Glint]

"Errr, this might be a stupid question but why would anyone want to have such a weapon? Where does this stop? Should we encourage selling outdated Army tanks to the general public? And please . . . don't say it's for hunting"

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DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

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"UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

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"The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave. He who has nothing, and belongs to another, must be defended by him, and needs no arms: but he who thinks he is his own master, and has anything he may call his own, ought to have arms to defend himself and what he possesses, or else he lives precariously and at discretion. And though for a while those who have the sword in their power abstain from doing him injury; yet, by degrees, he will be awed into submission to every arbitrary command. Our ancestors, by being always armed, and frequently in action, defended themselves against the Romans, Danes and English; and maintained their liberty against encroachments of their own princes." -- Andrew Fletcher, "A Discourse of Government with Relation to Militias," London, 1749

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Is that clear enough, or do you need to get metaphorically slapped across the face with a wet fish?

[jjm2111]

If NJ had more rifle ranges, I'd by an Armalite product.

[Long Cut]

You ought to run a few rounds through one. Most that do wind up buying one pretty soon after. They really are a hoot!

[Eastbound]

Quote from your link:

"10/14/03: Analysts: Gun Control a Non-Issue in 2004, from foxnews.com.

Gun rights activists say if gun control were to become an issue in the 2004 election, it will be over the assault weapons ban reauthorization. Republican sources say debate is already emerging among the GOP rank-and-file in the House whether to fight it, and talk has centered around whether gun advocates will be inclined to go all out for President Bush if he signs a new ban.

“If it gets to the president’s desk, and he signs it, [that] would be a campaign issue like you wouldn’t believe,” said Pratt. “It would put gun owners in a real foul mood.”

Understatement of the year. I think this is a litmus test and a tripwire that could blow republicans clean out of office. Enough with the gun control crap already.

[Long Cut]

That's one of the million reasons I like living in Florida so much. There's an indoor range 10 minutes from my house, and an excellent rifle range within a half-hour. Plus, there are numerous places around to plink at.

[Dead Corpse]

The Second Amendment is my top priority "litmus" test. Next is taxes followed closely by property Rights.

I'm not alone either.

[Long Cut]

I posted this on another thread:

It's gonna be a Beautiful Sunset, but not if we all get complacent. The Dims are running from the issue, but the Usual Suspects are not, and they'll push for a renewal AND expansion if we let them.

The gungrabbers have been quiet of late...TOO quiet, to steal a well-worn movie line. Methinks they are saving their resources for a fight to renew the Ban next year, and if the Republicans think we have lost interest, they might be tempted to go along, especially if a renewal or extension is attached to another, "must-pass" bill. Their feet need to be kept to the fire.

As well, if some assclown goes sideways and shoots up a public place between now and then, the pressure to pass a renewal might well be more than the Republicans can resist.

Take careful note of the anti-gun propaganda out there...the new movie "Runaway Jury" is nothing more than a 90+ minute commercial for gun control, the new bestseller by Richard North Patterson is a complete anti-gun/anti-NRA screed, and the H'wood crowd is on the offensive. It is subtle, and insidious, and it is freeing up the anti-gun organizations' money.

Stay alert, and inform others.

414 posted on 10/31/2003 4:25 AM EST by Long Cut (Whiskey...oil for life's frictions)

[jjm2111]

There are two rifle ranges and only about half a dozen handgun ranges in the entire state. NJ is not a gun friendly state. When I move West, I'm moving to a gun friendly state.

My brother lives in Houston and there are lots of places to shoot their, but Texas is just too d@amn hot.

[Kenton]

One reason is because a postban rifle is usually butt-ugly. Second, some (like me) like the idea of "sticking it" to the Brady Bunch.

Oh heck, there are some people who consider ANY black plastic gun to be ugly! Mine looks like pretty much like an ordinary service rifle, utilitarian. The muzzle brake is really no more ort less ugly than, say, a flash hider.

As far as getting under the Brady Bunch's skin, they don't like the postban models any better than the "evil" prebans.

I guess my point is, that in retrospect, the AW ban on certain cosmetic features really did turn out to be much ado about nothing for 99% of civilian users. Aside from the obvious "Urban Commando" cachet of the preban models, I can't see the big deal.

Lastly, well, it's kind of like why one would put fancy paint and wheels on a sports car.

Yeah, OK. Or painting camo on the family station wagon and pretending it's a Hummer, I guess. ;)

[glock rocks]

[jjm2111]

"“If it gets to the president’s desk, and he signs it, [that] would be a campaign issue like you wouldn’t believe,” said Pratt. “It would put gun owners in a real foul mood.”

That is an understatement all right. I won't be voting for President Bush if he signs an AWB renewal.

[Long Cut]

For all the Hell Florida has caught recently, it IS a pretty gun-friendly state- CCW shall-issue, lots of ranges and gun shops.

Plus, there's those lovely beaches and weather. It's also one of the few places I know where you can drive to a tropical island for the weekend, as I have done on many an occaision. Oh, no income tax, either.

[Long Cut]

"I guess my point is, that in retrospect, the AW ban on certain cosmetic features really did turn out to be much ado about nothing for 99% of civilian users..."

Well, it DID drive the price for all semiauto sporters through the roof, as well as the cost of mags.

[ladtx]

BUMP! For later read.

[Eagle Eye]

The reason to have one?
'Cause I can!
Cause it scares the bejezuz outta liberals.
Cause it keeps wannabe tyrants in check.
Cause it disturbs anyone who doesn't understand the 2A, Freedom, Liberty and needs to ask "Why".

Actually, those sound like good reasons to have matching pairs of them.

And BTW, you ain't nuthin like me.

[Long Cut]

BUMP!

[Jeff Head]

You can get a good FAL with all of that for under 1000 at almost any gun show in the US. I bought mine at a gun dealer in Dillon, MT six years ago for $550.