Browning says, "No."

sbryce

New member
From the Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/03222000/utah/35386.htm

Browning, the Utah-born firearms company, will not bargain with the U.S. government over handgun safety, divorcing itself from the landmark agreement between President Clinton and Smith & Wesson, the nation's largest gun maker.

"In my estimation, [Smith & Wesson] has been politically drug into giving away their own rights, the rights of everyone in the industry, the rights of licensed gun dealers and the rights of law-abiding gun owners," said Rich Bauter, vice president of firearms marketing for Browning.

"I would think that everybody in the country should be absolutely outraged, at not only Smith & Wesson's steps, but also the U.S. government's steps that have intruded into the legislative process," he said.

Another major firearms manufacturer, Glock Inc., also repudiated the Smith & Wesson deal Tuesday, with officials of the Austrian corporation saying they will not sign a similar voluntary gun-control agreement.

Like Smith & Wesson, Browning is a defendant in a series of lawsuits filed by cities and states -- including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco -- that argues gun manufacturers and dealers have failed to take adequate steps to ensure the firearms they sell are safe.

By agreeing last week to abide by a code of conduct, Smith & Wesson will be released from the pending suits and protected from future litigation.

Utah lawmakers passed a law this month that would prevent similar litigation brought by municipalities in the state.

Among a list of stipulations, Smith & Wesson will require safety and child-resistant locks on all the guns it sells, start developing "smart guns" that can be fired only by their owners, and refuse to distribute guns to gun show dealers who won't agree to complete background checks on potential buyers.

President Clinton called the agreement "a major victory for America's families."

"It says that gun makers can and will share in the responsibility to keep their products out of the wrong hands," he said in a statement. "And it says that gun makers can and will make their guns much safer, without infringing on anyone's rights."

While Browning today produces only a small number of handguns, the company has in the past designed and manufactured Winchester rifles and Colt .45 handguns.

"Unfortunately a member of our industry, that is owned by an outsider, a foreign country, has caved in to political maneuvering," said Browning's Bauter. "There would be no way that we would make such an agreement."

Although the company was founded by Mormon pioneers and retains offices in Utah, Browning is owned by Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre of Belgium.

Bill Nash, chairman of Utahns Against Gun Violence, wasn't surprised by Browning's criticism.

"It goes along with what we've said all along -- there are more responsible things that manufacturers can do," he said. "As for Browning's decision, I just think it's unfortunate."

James Jay Baker, chief lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, condemned the Smith & Wesson deal.

"This is a futile act of craven self-interest," said Baker. "In their rush to liquidate an inconvenient asset, executives at Tomkins PLC are jeopardizing an entire U.S. industry and undermining a constitutionally guaranteed right."



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Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.
Nehemiah 4:17,18
 
Bravo Browning!! Time to find more space in the gun rack!

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"Keep shootin till they quit floppin"
The Wife 2/2000
 
YES! If they're still making them by the time I can afford to buy a handgun again, maybe my next one after the Glock should be a Hi-Power!

Could this become the trend? I actually do feel sorry for S&W. I think they did what they thought they had to do. I bet they're starting to realize now that they could have held out as part of a united front and been OK, now they'll be the lone sheep under the government wing. Screwed the poochie. They're going to more sorry as time goes on.
Not to be REAL sinister, but sure Glock wouldn't have made it seem like they were going to join in until S&W did, then pulled out and left S&W hanging pantless in the wind just because the two compete so much over cops, would they?
I know, I'm devious.
 
I remember seeing on the history channel how their founder (J. Browning) DONATED significant weapon designs to the US army in major wars in the first half of the century.

All major manufacturers have at some point or another been called upon to crank out weapons for major wars.

Wonder at what point a govt. turns on a company that's obeying the law like this?


Battler.
 
I'd be happy to add another Browning to my collection!

Battler bring up an interesting point. Browning could sue the government for royalties on the the designs John M. gave 'em. In todays world, it would be easy. Turn-about is fair play.

One of those things that makes you say Hummmm...?

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Politically, Fashionably and Aerodynamically Incorrect!
 
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