ATF and Gun Shops
“Since 2002, 85 percent of American firearm manufacturers have been forced to close their doors. Let me repeat that, Mr. Chairman. Since 2002, 85 percent of American firearm manufacturers have been forced to close their doors.
Compare that with the number of dealers that are being shut down which is nearly 80% from 1994-2005. And according to Shooting Sports Retailer Magazine the number of revocations of licenses is up nearly 6 times from 2001-2006.
Folks, the ATF is shutting down our industry. At this point it is a matter of survival, They are picking off all the small dealers and manufacturers right now and will then set there sights on the large dealers and manufacturers.
Yes and no. The ATF has goals. Those goals are measured in terms of arrests and measurable things, like shutting someone down. Even if they’re wrong, on paper it looks like they did something. The ATF targets small dealers and small manufacturers because it’s easy. It’s just low-hanging fruit. The big boys have lawyers on call. The shut down of the little guys is just the result of them appearing to accomplish those goals. And, honestly, they pick easy targets. They go after technical violations of the otherwise law-abiding because it’s easy. Putting an end to the grenades, rocket launchers, machine guns, and explosives that are smuggled into the US from south of the border is hard. It might get you shot. Criminals shoot back, the otherwise law-abiding do not. So, it’s more beneficial to get those guys that don’t hang up posters and neglect to dot their i’s and cross their t’s.
