Firearm manufacturer refuses to sell to California agencies

[Thunderroost]

I love it!

http://www.barrettrifles.com/news/ca_outcome.htm

April 27th 2005

A message from Ronnie Barrett:

In the never-ending battle to destroy our constitution, more “big lie” propaganda is being dumped on our elected officials. The rhetoric given forth by the Violence Policy Center (VPC) so easily deceived the legislators of California resulting in the banning of fifty caliber rifles because they are powerful and their bullets punch holes when they strike. Even single shot .50 cal rifles were banned. It’s hard to believe we live in such a dark time that someone has actually banned a single shot rifle. But as you will see, this is the cleverest of all gun bans, and the end goal is civilian disarmament, the confiscation of your tools of liberty, your rifles.

What lies before us is the continuation of the misinformation campaign, trying to coax yet another state to infringe upon the U.S. Constitution as California did. The anti- freedom/anti-gun movement has discovered how transparent they appear when they propose sweeping gun bans and now are successful by biting off a little at a time. Ever so small, many politicians are trading off your rights without you recognizing their violations.

First we had the “Saturday Night Specials” which was all affordable handguns, then “sniper rifles” which were any scoped deer rifle. Those were obvious, too big a scam to go unnoticed, but with the creation and demonization of the term “assault weapon”, the Clinton’s Crime bill produced a 10-year setback on your freedoms and safe gun design. Now comes another scam. This time they are shocked to discover that rifles are “accurate and powerful”.

This is the same bull the officials in the 1950’s fell for when they banned the self-unfolding knife. First the knife was demonized by giving it an evil name, “switchblade”, then we (the trusting public) were told that the problem of gang violence was solved with its banning. How ridiculous. It’s surprising they didn’t ban the leather jacket. In reality, gang violence was and is a serious social problem, but it was not related to manually unfolding versus self-unfolding knives. The elected officials voting to ban an object like a knife proved themselves unwilling or uncaring to understand the problem, and thus, incapable of any real solutions.

A handful of people that makes up the VPC are solely responsible for the big lie on .50’s, claiming fantastic destruction capabilities. They manipulate fear by claiming terrorists will use these rifles on targets of our infrastructure. “They will shut down our airports in flames” they claim. VPC’s Tom Diaz refers to them as “super guns” lying to his dupable group of politicians, concealing the facts that there are many rifle cartridges that are comparable in performance (those will be added to the list in phase two). He is boldly telling these officials and all who will listen that the risk of terrorist attacks on these targets will be solved with the banning of powerful rifles, in this case, the .50 caliber rifle. In reality, terrorism is complex and will be defeated with improved intelligence. In this instance, the officials voting to ban an inanimate object like a rifle proves them ignorant of the problem of terrorism and is wasting time and resources.

You must understand the brilliance of this dangerous back door deception. Your politicians are being told that the fifty is a highly destructive cartridge that can destroy airplanes, fuel transport trucks and depot storages of fuel. They show videos like the one on 60 Minutes showing a ½ inch plate of steel being pierced by a .50 cal round while stopping a .308 caliber. This is all to confuse the people, those with little exposure to firearms; their impression concludes that the .50 punches holes in sensitive targets where other rifles cannot. Had they shot actual aluminum that is used on airplane construction, or aluminum or steel used in actual transport or tank construction, both the .50 and the .308 would pierce along with most all centerfire cartridges, but this, they must keep secret.

First, with the confusion of massive, (although incorrect) technical data and the hammering of urgency, the VPC demands a ban or strict regulations on rifles that chamber a cartridge that has the ability to penetrate targets. Sound ridiculous? It is.

VPC’s Tom Diaz appears often on TV with maps of Washington, DC, irresponsibly instructing where to position one's self to illegally fire on vulnerable important targets of our government, promising these specific targets will be safe when .50s are banned. He pressures politicians to act quickly on this URGENT legislation needed to make these terrorist targets safe, hoping they will act before the VPC lies are discovered.

Now slow down, a ban on a rifle because it chambers a cartridge that has the ability to penetrate targets? By the legislation naming and defining the targets that are damageable by rifle fire, and in this case, .50 cal. rifle fire, they create a new class of rifles, not defined by such foolishness as detachable magazines, flash hiders or pistol grips, but defined by the harm it could do when criminally misused! This is what California has just done! The ultimate gun ban trick has just been created, the banning of rifles before they can be misused!

Now, we are only talking about those powerful .50 calibers, right? That’s what is in the VPC’s direct orders. No, remember they are banning rifles because specific targets named in our infrastructure are susceptible to damage. Now tell me, what centerfire rifle cartridge won’t penetrate those targets? What centerfire rifle cartridge is not powerful? Not many or not any? So in order to comply with the spirit and intent of the law the Attorney General or State Secretary must add those cartridges to the banned list. The big lie is exposed. They aren’t just talking about .50s. They’re after your hunting rifles, centerfire target rifles - just about any rifle you own.

Unlike California, we cannot allow any of our local, state or federal officials to be deceived with any of this “big lie” gun control propaganda. The U.S. has every gun law that could possibly be needed. Virtually every real world scenario of firearm abuse is already covered in some law that is currently on the books.

Many of you have inquired as to the outcome of the letter I wrote to Police Chief Bratten of the LAPD. Unfortunately, the chief’s position did not change. He continued to use his officers in the same deceptive practices formerly utilized with the city council. These few officers testifying in Sacramento ultimately contributed to the unconstitutional AB50 law being passed. It saddened me to have to tell members of the LAPD SWAT team they would have to send someone for their rifle, because I refused to assist anyone or any organization that is in violation of the United States Constitution. In turn, the department arranged to pick up their un-serviced rifle.

Barrett cannot legally sell any of its products to lawbreakers. Therefore, since California’s passing of AB 50, the state is not in compliance with the US Constitution’s 2nd and 14th Amendments, and we will not sell nor service any of our products to any Government agency of the State of California.

I appreciate all the phone calls and emails from LAPD officers and civilians during that time encouraging and supporting our actions. We shall see if other firearms companies will follow this path. I know many are corporately owned and feel like they are unable to risk the life of their company for the liberties of our nation, but if we lose our Republic, our freedom, what good is any of it? I am in the proud and fortunate position that many of our forefathers were in when they risked all for our liberties.

“Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry

This “ban large bore” insanity failed in Washington years ago, but that didn’t discourage the VPC. Now it’s resurfacing in city council meetings in individual states, and it’s being reintroduced in Washington. NRA-ILA Executive Director, Chris Cox, once told me “These (anti-freedom, anti-gun) guys never go away, and they never quit.”

I’ve received thousands of emails and letters from you offering encouragement and support. Our Republic, our liberty needs and demands your support. You must take action to guard your rights. First, find your State Senator and State Representative. Tell them not to fall for this scam. This lie depends on the elected official being naive about firearms and their capabilities. Stand ready to carry this same message to your U.S. Senator and Representatives. Know all of your elected officials’ position on gun issues. DO NOT ELECT ANY ANTI-GUN PERSON TO ANY POSITION!

Position yourself with me in the battles we must fight. You need to join the NRA, the .50 Caliber Shooters Association, and the NSSF in order to stay informed. These people have been with me in the trenches fighting for every inch of the liberty you enjoy.

Today we draw a line; there will be no more nibbling at our freedom. Today you stand idle no longer. Today you do something to save our country!


Ronnie Barrett
Owner and CEO
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc.

[NaturalSelector]

Good for him brother....

Nicely stated on his part and thanks for the post...

[kjhof]

Ronnie Barret is a true American hero... I wish more gun manufacturers were like him.

[Thunderroost]

I just noticed this was posted previously...sorry if I am causing clutter

[Xori Ruscuv]

Originally Posted by Thunderroost

I just noticed this was posted previously...sorry if I am causing clutter

It is always nice to hear though :<
Ronnie Barrett is ranked as "freakin' awsome" in my book. He has balls of... jacketed lead?

[LSCurrier]

He is 100% right!! God bless Ronnie Barrett!!

We need to do EXACTLY as he say:

Vote against anti-gun politicians on all levels!!


Luke

[alexnormand]

I don't think anyone would mind a writting like this being posted 2 times.

I live in a country where the law prohibits me from defending myself. Trust me, you don't want your laws to be like that. Being charged with murder from killing an assaillant trying to rob you and hurt your family is what your laws may become if people don't stand together and act.

Alex.

[rjg]

What Ronnie did took a lot of guts. God bless him.

[thearmedrebel]

Ronnie Barrett =
VPC and the fools in California =

Just my 2¢ as a former Californian

Robert

[John 242]

Perhapse it would be a good idea to drop an e-mail to Barrett thanking them for their support of our 2nd Amendment rights?

[Buzz407]

this is a bit of old news, but i love it everytime i read it. Wish there were more manufacturers willing to make a lil push toward the interests of firearms owners, and less toward the interests of their pocketbooks

[FLXRing]

I was banished to the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia for 4 long years. I had forgotten how bad it had gotten there before I left. I recall being shocked when I was purchasing some ammunition at a Gun Store in Pasadena and they had to take my name and some other information in a log book... as if knowing Joe Schmoe bought 50rds of .45 ACP is going to help them resolve their high crime rates. I left that country in 98 and never looked back.

+1 to Barrett for standing on principles and the Constitution not on the almighty greenback (it's sorta green still) .

[M1911Arch]

Originally Posted by FLXRing

I recall being shocked when I was purchasing some ammunition at a Gun Store in Pasadena and they had to take my name and some other information in a log book.

I've never seen that happen while buying ammo...

I'd like to buy the Barrett M82, but I don't have a problem with Ronnie Barrett doing what he had to do. And since I plan on leaving the borderline communist state of California, maybe I'll congratulate Barrett instead.

[hjk]

Originally Posted by kjhof

Ronnie Barret is a true American hero... I wish more gun manufacturers were like him.

I agree.

[FLXRing]

I've never seen that happen while buying ammo...

Found this out on the web:

(The city of Pasadena, California, which with much publicity passed a similar ammo registration law in February 1995 --despite the earlier demonstrated uselessness of ammo registration at the federal level-- repealed the law on August 18, 1997, after police proclaimed the law "useless". The city government, which delayed repeal of the law for several months in order to allow "gun control" groups to propose alternative legislation, wisely rejected the "new-and-improved" ammo registration law as well.)"

I know I'm getting old but I know I wasn't going crazy

[CallTheBall]

He is doing what we all need to do and that is taking a stand in favor of self defense and the 2nd Amendment. When you hear stuff on TV, radio or read it in a newspaper YOU must give a rebuttal if you know what they are saying is false. When these freedom oppressing bills are introduced in YOUR State Legislature YOU must voice your oppossition to them. We have to start letting people in elected office know that we will not stand to have our rights taken away. I hope all of CA falls into anarchy and collapses, after I'm moved out.

[Pegusus]

Originally Posted by CallTheBall

I hope all of CA falls into anarchy and collapses, after I'm moved out.

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