¿Quien Es Mas Macho?
There's an old saw about outlaws and guns, that I was reminded of as I surveyed the day's news. On average, though, guns rack up a body count of about 87 people a day. And as the day's victims queue up to be counted (
Tom Begnal may have his next piece up shortly), I'm left wondering if it's actually the American people who are outlaws -- outside the protection of the law.
I mention this as, in Colorado, a manufacturer of high-capacity magazines, Democrats in the state Senate are under pressure to abandon new laws that would restrict the size of ammunition magazines, and mandate serial numbers on magazines. Magpul, the manufacturer in question, has threatened to pull out of the state, with Wyoming and Texas more than willing to facilitate a move for the promise of some jobs.
And Magpul has also decided to demand a loyalty oath from police -- an oath to the 2nd Amendment -- before it will deign to sell to them.
Over the weekend, I wrote about the threats that Democratic representatives in Colorado are receiving lately, since new gun control legislation was proposed and then passed in the state House. Death threats against these Democrats, threats about their children being raped...quality rhetoric from gun enthusiasts, surely.
And since I monitor the activities of my enemies, I note that the NRA has compiled a list of Colorado state Democrats to intimidate, er, to contact and please express opposition to anti-gun measures. It might be time well spent for anyone interested in reducing gun violence to also contact these state Senators. Subvert the NRA with their own handy list, why don't you?
With this legislative backdrop in mind, let's get to Magpul, manufacturer of ammunition magazines and other gun accessories. When they're not marketing calendars of pinup girls with guns, they have an section of their website dedicated to Propaganda. And no, neither of those is even a joke, although perhaps the folks at Magpul think it's funny. In this news/propaganda section, Magpul's CEO explains his decision to make outlaws of cops.
With the fight in Colorado right now we do not have time to implement a new program, so I have suspended all LE sales to ban states until we can implement a system wherein any Law Enforcement Officer buying for duty use will have to promise to uphold their oath to the US Constitution - specifically the second and fourteenth amendments - as it applies to all citizens.
Why the 14th Amendment, you might ask? Oh, I can think of at least
one reason.
On June 28, 2010, the Supreme Court, in a 5–4 decision, reversed the Seventh Circuit's decision, holding that the Second Amendment was incorporated under the Fourteenth Amendment thus protecting those rights from infringement by local governments.[6] It then remanded the case back to Seventh Circuit to resolve conflicts between certain Chicago gun restrictions and the Second Amendment.
Yeah, so, guns. Figures. Anyway, that's Magpul demonstrating its great fondness for law enforcement professionals. I guess they may have to do without those pinup calendars for awhile. There are some
reasonable facsimiles out there.
Beyond just pissing off cops, Magpul has weighed in on the new gun legislation in Colorado, and threatened to move out of state if it's passed. It's already passed in the state House, and the governor is on record that he'll sign it.
The bill would make it a crime to have magazines that can carry more than 15 rounds, with a stricter limit of eight for shotguns. People who own larger magazines now would be allowed to keep them.
As the debate unfolds, states have made overtures to Magpul, including offering to pay their moving costs. The company won't name the states, but Wyoming and Texas have expressed interest in netting the $85 million the company projects it will spend in Colorado next year in payments to suppliers, subcontractors and service providers. Magpul said the move would also impact its 200 employees, plus an additional 400 who work for suppliers and subcontractors.
They also cite added production costs for a requirement to add serial numbers to magazines. Because why not spend the money instead on moving to another state where it's not required?
Anyway, what's another 80 or so people dying today...there's corporations out there, with a few jobs to dangle in front of state legislatures! Time will tell if Columbine and Aurora, or Magpul and the NRA will win the day. But it's clear who gun enthusiasts think should enjoy the protection of the law, and who should be outlaws.
(Cross-posted at The Tytalan Way on Wordpress.)
Tue Mar 05, 2013 at 7:44 AM PT: http://www.denverpost.com/...
Don't think I will follow up on this today, so I note for the few people who persist; state Senate committees in Colorado passed all seven gun control bills, and they are scheduled to be debated in the full Senate on Friday. Republicans are looking to peel off three Democrats to kill any of the legislation, and I understand one or two Democrats have already expressed opposition to at least some of the bills.