I think all firearms mfgrs owe citizens
...a sincere apology. Quite honestly, they've all done something offensive to us and often at our expense. Each and every single firearms manufacturer, distributor, and dealer could do more for the citizen but realistically it is a two way street.
First, before we cast a net of responsibility over the firearms manufacturers let us first examine our own actions. While we lament the "new 1911's and .40 tupperware" we continue to buy them. Moreover, we don't ask for, demand, or get enough political support from them and that has got to change. Gun owners are a fickle bunch, but by and large if you produce a good product, people will buy it. Just as the bill of rights guarantees the citizens' certain inalienable rights there are responsibilities with those rights. There are responsibilities in the corporate world as well and first and foremost has to be treating your customer base with respect.
The so called Assault Weapons Ban was one hateful piece of legislation in which each and every manufacturer of a semi-automatic firearm didn't do enough to protect US, and they complied with the law by financically penalizing us. Every manufacturer of semi automatics in '94 - '04 who sold standard capactiy magazines to ANY government entity didn't do enough.
Those limited capacity mags - who do you think paid for the new tooling associated with making them? Citizens.
When AWB was about to expire, where were the manufacturers calling for it to expire? Nowhere.
All of the manufacturers who sold government agencies other than the D.O.D. standard capacity magazines did so at our expense.
Nothing other than corporate greed prevented them from implementing a policy of "Not legal for citizens, not available for government". It's simple, but it's not simplistic. If government wants a magazine capacity restriction, it shall be imposed upon them as well and if they use anything other than the supplied magazines, warranty voided. If the manufacturers roll over again the next time a ban comes up, WE have to hold their feet to the fire. Instead of just lobbying Congress, state legislatures etc. we need to be hitting up the manufacturers - this affects us all, we need your help!
THose kinds of 'political stands' will no doubt cost government contract money, but will gain citizen sales to offset the loss, and then some.
