Greed and the Gun Culture

[MrTwigg]

Preface:
Mods, Please understand no one is being slandered through this post, the subject of the controversy has publically admitted his actions. This story needs to be told. It is already listed on this blog and may be posted on others.

This is unfolding in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts where one man almost single-handedly crippled the gun culture.

There is no “short version” so all I can say is go grab another cuppa coffee and read through these threads.

OK I guess there is a concise version:

Basically one gun shop owner made a call to the AG’s office because Bass Pro Shops was selling new Glocks & other handguns which did not meet the AG’s consumer safety standards.

There is no published list of the AG’s regs, although the regs can be found after diligent searching by one who knows where to look.

Note: for a retailer to lawfully sell a handgun here it must be on the "Offical approved roster" as well on the "Secret list" held by the AG's office.

Same store owner also is responsible for lawfully licensed individuals now unable to purchase ammo / reloading components through the mail or internet, profoundly impacting the ability for us to enjoy shooting sports as well as our supposed “rights” here in the PRM.

This is one reason why we never reveal our sources when / if we are able to locate a vendor willing to ship here.

So basically, one man is responsible for helping to severly restrict access and availibility to the shooting sports.

Bass Pro-On the wrong side of the AG already?

Source of AG Banning Out-of-State Ammo Sales!

Northeast Trading Co, North Attleboro, MA

And the “Satire” website which followed
NortheastRatting.com

Please think of Art’s Grandma when commenting.
I’d rather not see this post turned into a “Let’s bash Massachusetts thread. ” or get deleted.

 

[230RN]

I really wish you'd develop a precis of this situation, or offer a link to a concise summary. I would like to get a quick idea of what's going on, cuppa coffee notwithstanding, "no short version" notwithstanding..

Sorry. Did not pursue it beyond the first couple of posts in the first link.

 

[feedthehogs]

You Mass guys seem to be blaming this gun shop owner for your legislative probelms.

If there are laws, good or bad and because someone points out that fact, don't blame the "rat".

Blame yourselves for not preventing or over turning your draconian gun regs.

The other thing is that people seem to be saying this "rat" was in it for the money.

Well duh. He's in business to make money.

I don't get it. Gun owners seem to think gun shops should give their products away while singing the star spangled banner and if you don't your some kind of socialist.

You people need to grow up and figure out what free enterprise is all about and if you don't like the rules of the game, change em instaed of whining like a bunch of spoiled children.

You also have the option of moving out of the state.

Lazy gun owners have to live with the consequences of their non-action.

 

[NukemJim]

Thank you for the "short version".

NukemJim

 

[GEM]

The big name gun store in San Antonio was well known for lobbying against the gun shows. Tried to get them shut down. Also if you asked them to do an FFL transfer they yelled at you.

 

[tdubya]

GEM, i live in San Antonio, which store is this?

 

[sgthoskins]

You people need to grow up and figure out what free enterprise is all about and if you don't like the rules of the game, change em instaed of whining like a bunch of spoiled children.

You also have the option of moving out of the state.

Lazy gun owners have to live with the consequences of their non-action.

You have no idea what you are talking about in regards to being a gun owner in MA.

 

[Hoppy590]

thank you sgthoskins. great first post. i hope you stick around

doing ANYTHING in MA is a system of "good ol boys" friends of important people get what they want, and everyone fromt he mayor up is for the most part in on it. just look at the mockery that is the big dig. billions of dollars over budget, years late, and killed someone. no ones in jail. no ones being lynched.when the AG randomly got these laws passed, Smith adn Wesson literaly sh@t itself. threats and complaints later all of SW products made the list.

 

[mp510]

Here's a reply from the owner of Northeast Trading Company that an ARFCOM member recieved. It doesn't sound like this shopkeep did anything that bad at all.

Steve,

I replied to another NES member whom sent a similar message. Just so you know and as reported in my memo below, I never ever consorted with the AG about out of state ammo sales. To the quantary I worked with one out of state company and tried to establish with them the proper protocol so that they could sell ammo to MA residents.


"First and foremost please let me state that I have and will continue to work for gun owners and their rights to keep and bear arms, ammo and all those items that we should be able to own, and to get out from under the oppressive laws that we have in MA. After all I have been a licensed gun owner for 42 years. I run a very extensive Firearm Safety Class and assist my students in any way that I can to obtain their LTC.

As to BP, yes I over reacted to what looked like a direct threat to my business. I should have realized that our store or any gun store generally has better pricing then they do. I actually I called the CHSB, not because of GLOCKs but because of guns not on the EOPS list.(I was told I wasn't the first caller and probably wouldn't be the last.) I was then and for the first time ever contacted and asked if I could elaborate. My answer was simply that I had heard through customers coming into the store and also what I had read on the various gun forums. They mentioned they had seen information on the forums also.

Hind sight, I over reacted and probably should have just kept my mouth shut. Not that it's an excuse but if you know me, you know that I work 7 days a week trying my best to have a full store with the items that we shooters buy and at the best possible price I can stay alive with. I'm proud that I made a business that allows me to be able to have several people work hear and pay them very good wages.

As far as this ratting out to the AG (aside from BP) or anyone else for that matter on anything including outside of MA businesses selling in to MA is just blatantly and absolutely not true. I am totally dumb founded where this is coming from. I've known Q for years and consider him a friend. He and I have done a lot of things together including shooting activities at the Mansfield Club. I just don't understand where he is coming from.

Several years ago when the Dealer Organization was first formed (we don't or have not done much the last several years) Nancy Snow from GOAL had called and asked if I would talk to an organization about selling into MA. They The Sportsman's Guide (if memory serves me correct) was in the process of being served by our AG. They did contact me and we worked very hard to help them understand that if they received a copy of a MA Drivers License and a License to Carry or an FID card and kept it on file that they could sell into MA. Later they called back and told me that after their lawyers reviewed the MA laws they were cautioned and told it would not be in their best interest to sell to MA. I really tried my best to keep this company selling to MA.

Just so you know, since we opened the store and even as an FFL from my house we have always had a policy that customers could use our FFL and address to order from any company that would not normally send to a private party. We do not charge anything for this service and I send FFLs frequently for this purpose.

Also, even I as a dealer have some companies because of their agreement with the AG, will not send AMMO to me as an FFL. I have to have the ammo sent to an out of state shop and then go pick it up myself.

As a side note I did contact BP before they opened via email, and one of the Hunting Managers stopped by a week before opening and we casually talked about gun sales and when they said Glocks, I mentioned not ok for MA, and he said they were told they were good to go. I did make an effort to inform them."

I hope this clears up the misinformation about myself and Northeast Trading Company

Please don't hesitate to call or send email if I can answer any more questions.

Ted Oven
Northeast Trading Company