Firearms & Freedom

From cooperfirearms.com:

In response to the recent article highlighting Dan Cooper’s personal political donations, the board of directors, shareholders and employees of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc would like to issue the following statement.

The employees, shareholders and board of directors of Cooper Firearms of Montana do not share the personal political views of Dan Cooper.

Although we all believe everyone has a right to vote and donate as they see fit, it has become  apparent that the fallout may affect more than just Mr. Cooper. It may also affect the employees and the shareholders of Cooper Firearms.

The board of directors has asked Mr. Cooper to resign as President of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc. Daily operations will continue with the competent staff currently in place in Stevensville, MT producing the finest, most accurate rifles money can buy.

Dan Cooper has spent all of his working life producing the highest quality rifles built here in the USA. He started with nothing but the American Dream and built that into firearms company anyone would be proud of. We firmly believe Dan stands by the 2nd amendment.

We wish him all of the best in his future pursuits.

I would agree with Sebastian, his resignation would remove any problem I had with the company. I would, however, like some clarification on the company’s earlier statement that he donated to Obama to help defeat Sen. Clinton, and after the primary donated to the McCain campaign, when no record of such a donation exists. I might be willing to accept the justification that the Obama donation was to defeat Hillary Clinton. Lobbyists, and I suppose individuals, will sometimes donate to the most friendly candidates on both sides in the primaries in an attempt to make sure that whichever party is elected, the candidate will be more friendly to them (During the general election they tend to support only one candidate.) However, not only is Obama at least as anti gun as Sen. Clinton (probably much more so,) but the story that started all of this is from a few days ago, and Sen. Clinton is no longer in the race, making it clear that Mr. Cooper supports Obama, and was not “stacking the deck” with a more pro-gun candidate.

I also agree that he is free to support and donate to any candidate he chooses to, however, we also have the right to voice our opinion, and not patronize a company run by someone who disregards, or at least minimizes, the rights that we hold dear, and that allow him to stay in business.

Like Sebastian, I hate to see it come to this. But things like this are too damaging. The donations and the vote are troublesome, but the interview with USAToday is what really drives this over the top. Putting yourself, and your company, out there like that feeds the media, and Obama’s PR people, (but I repeat myself) more ammo to lie to the American public that Barack Obama is OK on gun rights. This isn’t an attempt to ruin a man’s life, this is about protecting our liberties.

Dear Mr. Cooper:

I was disappointed to learn that, as a firearms manufacturer, you are supporting arguably the most anti-gun ticket for the U.S. presidency in history.

If you are not aware, Sen. Obama, while paying lip service to our Second Amendment rights, which protects not only our rights, but also your business, his record towards it is appalling.

He has favored banning gun shops within five miles of a park or school, effectively putting most of America, and certainly any major city, off limits for gun dealers.

He voted against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which protects manufacturers like you from being sued for criminal misuse of your product.

He also said in a questionnaire that he favored banning the sale of handguns, and has spoken in favor of reinstating the so called assault weapons ban. You may not care about this, as you do not appear to manufacture handguns or semi-automatic firearms, but rest assured that sometime after those guns are banned or severely restricted, they will come after “high powered sniper rifles,” and your fine firearms will fit the description.

It is obviously impossible, or at least very impractical, to boycott all businesses that support candidates that a person opposes. However, due to the reckless disregard for our liberties, and the industry that supports and protects you, I will not be patronizing your business, and will encourage others to do likewise.

Posted at firearmsandfreedom.com, I will post your response as well.

Respectfully,

Peter