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

[.45MAN]

Thanks for the bump, there arer some other things and I will be looking for..

[Steely Glint]

"Can we just club him to a bloody pulp and save the wet fish for a snack? :^)"

Your screen name is "Harpseal" and you advocate clubbing someone? Yow!

[Long Cut]

I just hope to Hell he and his advisors realize this. At this point, we CANNOT afford what the Dims will do, either to our security OR our rights.

[Travis McGee]

I think you are really on to something with your "fleet in being" analogy.

The mere presence of 100 million "assault" and scoped deer rifles stays the hands of our most rabid anti-freedom statists.

[Long Cut]

I think it only made them change tactics. Instead of a total ban, they've been using incrementalism, mixed with indoctrination in schools, propaganda, and histeria.

Less dangerous to them that way. Slower, but no less effective.

[El Laton Caliente]

A Five Million Gun March? That might get their attention...

I'm in.

[Long Cut]

If they could put that together, and get some PRO-gun celebs and singers to attend, it would be a strong statement.

I don't see why we couldn't get 100,000 people at least. If the progun groups like the NRA and GOA and SAS could coordinate, we could even get a REAL million.

[IGOTMINE]

Welcome to FR. Enjoy your stay.

[Double Tap]

Errr, this might be a stupid question but why would anyone want to have such a weapon?

Yes, you are correct, that was a stupid question. Do you have any more?

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

[Eastbound]

"I will not support GWB if he signs such an extension and I am certain I represent a whole lot more people who feel the same way and it will be a close election."

If the republican congress resurrects this, it will not bode well for them either.

[Travis McGee]

I think the slow incremental approach is the best for the gun grabbers. In a generation, Americans will be so brainwashed they will hate guns.

[Travis McGee]

As long as they exstt, they're a counterweight. Sure, NY Chicago and Cali will go off the deep end on gun control, but as long as the heartland has those tens of millins of rifles, tyranny will not get too far. Socialists eventually would be shot if they tried to force an overly socialist agenda down our throats by force.

[Eaker]

I will not support GWB if he signs such an extension and I am certain I represent a whole lot more people who feel the same way and it will be a close election.

This needed to be said a little louder.

[Dead Dog]

They are great for hunting. Why wouldn't they be? Especially the AR-10. Although the AR-15 is legal for Bambi in some states...such as Oregon. Really, what would make a rifle good for chasing Talibunnies through the mountains, not good for chasing Bambi?

BTW, for all of you ".223 are to small for deer" folks, my sister dropped a running Muley with one from over 100 yards. Shot placement! You just can't be out shot by a girl.

[Mr. Mojo]

I think the slow incremental approach is the best for the gun grabbers.

No doubt. That approach works for nearly all abrogations of liberty, from what I've noticed.

In a generation, Americans will be so brainwashed they will hate guns.

I saw an old high school buddy of mine the other day who I haven't seen a while, and the subject of guns came up while we were discussing the looting that was happening in burned homes from the fires in L.A. He said that looters should be shot, and I agreed. But when I asked if he's prepared to do the shooting, I received a look of complete astonishment ......"It's my goal never to even touch a gun in my life," he said nervously. I started to argue with him, bringing up his newborn baby and how he would protect her in the event of trouble, but it fell on deaf ears. .....All emotion, and he admitted as much.

[556x45]

Hadnt heard that. I knew our military 'looked' at it and that was only a quick glance. By that time too much had been invested ($$$ and political) in the 15 and like it or not it was The choice. IIRC Fairchild came up w/ the 180 as a 'reduced cost' way to sell the 15's technology to cost sensitive customers. It was just right for 3rd world countries and some domestic LE used it too. It was easy to build from the standpt of machine work. Stampings are simple (a die and press), and the rest doesnt require extensive machine practice or metallurgy. I think the hated SA80 had its roots in the 180 as well....at least thats what I recall hearing. (True or not, Sterlings are the bottom of the barrel in the 180 world.)

As for the gas system...its about time. The 15s gas system has been one of its major weak pts. The 15 early on was billed as 'self cleaning' and that referred to all the crap that accumulated in the carrier and bolt tail. Right!

[Billthedrill]

Not to pile on - welcome to FR, by the way - but they're pretty good for small game. Someone has already mentioned that they're ideal coyote guns - I loaned my HK to a friend with a serious coyote problem and durn near had to use a crowbar to get it back.

Which, of course, isn't the issue. I'd answer your "why would you need one" with another one - "why would you try to prevent someone from owning one?" And I'd caution you against an uncritical acceptance of the usual answer, that it might be misused, despite the fact that they seldom are. That's a mighty slippery slope.

[Travis McGee]

"It's my goal never to even touch a gun in my life," he said nervously.

Pitiful. If enough Americans get that attitude, they may get their wish in an unexpected way.