The IL issue reminds me of the Hatfields and McCoys. A lot people probably cannot remember what started it all. So no matter what side of the issue you are on, I hope this brings some understanding
In March 2000 Smith & Wesson was the only major gun manufacturer to sign an agreement with the Clinton Administration. The company agreed to numerous safety and design standards as well as limits on the sale and distribution of its products. Gun clubs and gun rights groups responded to this agreement by initiating large-scale boycotts of Smith & Wesson and by consumers refusing to buy their new products while Police agencies flooded the firearms market with used S&W guns. The sudden flood of used guns came primarily from law enforcement agencies that were trading their department issued revolvers for semi-automatic pistols, additionally the trade in pistols were often considered better quality than the revolver products being produce by Smith and Wesson during the late 1990's. After a 40% sales slide, the sales impact from the boycotts led Smith & Wesson to suspend manufacturing at two plants. The success of the boycott led to a Federal Trade Commission antitrust investigation's being initiated under the Clinton administration, targeting gun dealers and gun rights groups, which was subsequently dropped in 2003. This agreement signed by Tomkins PLC ended with the sale of Smith & Wesson to the Saf-T-Hammer Corporation. The new company (Smith and Wesson Holding Corporation), which publicly renounced the agreement, was received positively by the firearms community.
The Boycott had its desired effect. It basically destroyed Tompkins. It sent a serious message to all gun mfg.'s that you either stand with us on gun rights or you will suffer the
consequences.
It is my opinion that if your opposition the IL is symbolic and not mechanical, it is time to move on, Tompkins is long gone. If your dislike is mechanical, then stick to your old school Smiths, but respect the choices of those who are not bothered by the mechanical aspect of the IL.
Likewise, for those of you who have no issue with the IL, some respect to those of us who dutifully boycotted a beloved member of the firearms community is due. We effectively put an end to mfg.'s cooperating with the government to limit YOUR 2nd amendment rights.
I hope this cut & paste history review will bring some understanding to the situation. At this point in time the argument has become ridiculous and pointless.
In March 2000 Smith & Wesson was the only major gun manufacturer to sign an agreement with the Clinton Administration. The company agreed to numerous safety and design standards as well as limits on the sale and distribution of its products. Gun clubs and gun rights groups responded to this agreement by initiating large-scale boycotts of Smith & Wesson and by consumers refusing to buy their new products while Police agencies flooded the firearms market with used S&W guns. The sudden flood of used guns came primarily from law enforcement agencies that were trading their department issued revolvers for semi-automatic pistols, additionally the trade in pistols were often considered better quality than the revolver products being produce by Smith and Wesson during the late 1990's. After a 40% sales slide, the sales impact from the boycotts led Smith & Wesson to suspend manufacturing at two plants. The success of the boycott led to a Federal Trade Commission antitrust investigation's being initiated under the Clinton administration, targeting gun dealers and gun rights groups, which was subsequently dropped in 2003. This agreement signed by Tomkins PLC ended with the sale of Smith & Wesson to the Saf-T-Hammer Corporation. The new company (Smith and Wesson Holding Corporation), which publicly renounced the agreement, was received positively by the firearms community.
The Boycott had its desired effect. It basically destroyed Tompkins. It sent a serious message to all gun mfg.'s that you either stand with us on gun rights or you will suffer the
consequences.
It is my opinion that if your opposition the IL is symbolic and not mechanical, it is time to move on, Tompkins is long gone. If your dislike is mechanical, then stick to your old school Smiths, but respect the choices of those who are not bothered by the mechanical aspect of the IL.
Likewise, for those of you who have no issue with the IL, some respect to those of us who dutifully boycotted a beloved member of the firearms community is due. We effectively put an end to mfg.'s cooperating with the government to limit YOUR 2nd amendment rights.
I hope this cut & paste history review will bring some understanding to the situation. At this point in time the argument has become ridiculous and pointless.
