With the passage of new restrictive firearms legislation in New York State and similar measures currently being considered by other state lawmakers, two U.S. firearms makers have stepped forward in recent days in a staunch defense of the Second Amendment, even though it might mean a loss of revenue for their businesses.
On Feb. 8, Mark LaRue, owner of LaRue Tactical in Leander, Texas, announced his company would no longer sell its firearms to state and local law-enforcement agencies in states that have banned ownership of the same firearms to law-abiding citizens.
His move was in obvious reaction to the January passage of laws in New York that prohibit the sale of AR-platform and other rifles, certain high-capacity magazines and carrying more than seven cartridges in any magazine, no matter its capacity.
LaRue’s statement read:
“Effective (Feb. 8), in an effort to see that no legal mistakes are made by LaRue Tactical and/or its employees, we will apply all current state and local laws (as applied to civilians) to state and local law enforcement / government agencies. In other words, LaRue Tactical will limit all sales to what law-abiding citizens residing in their districts can purchase or possess.
“State and local laws have always been a serious focus of this firm, and we are now dovetailing that focus with the constitutional rights of the residents covered in their different areas by the old and new regulations. We realize this effort will have an impact on this firm’s sales—and have decided the lost sales are less danger to this firm than potential lawsuits from erroneous shipments generated by something as simple as human error.”
And on Tuesday, Feb. 12, Washington state-based AR-15 maker Olympic Arms followed LaRue’s lead with a statement of its own from company president Brian Schuetz.
“Legislation recently passed in the State of New York outlaws the AR-15 and many other firearms, and will make it illegal for the good and free citizens of New York to own a large selection of legal and safe firearms and magazines.
“In short, Olympic Arms will no longer be doing business with the State of New York or any governmental entity or employee of such governmental entity within the State of New York—henceforth and until such legislation is repealed, and an apology made to the good people of the State of New York and the American people.
“If the leaders of the State of New York are willing to limit the right of the free and law abiding citizens of New York to arm themselves as they see fit under the rights enumerated to all citizens of the United State through the Second Amendment, we feel as though the legislators and government entities within the State of New York should have to abide by the same restrictions.”
We salute these two men and their companies for standing up for the Second Amendment and for the guts to step forward on behalf of all American hunters, shooting enthusiasts and gun owners.