Hey guys, This went to S&W today. If you havent written them, I suggest that you do so.
**************
Dear Sirs,
I am a 31 yr old professional living in Southern California. I served my
country as a Main Battle Tank crewmember for four years, losing several
friends in Desert Storm. I have several family members who were killed
in World War Two and Vietnam. My family has bled for this country, and
done so willingly, becasue we believe in the principles that this
country was founded on as well as this system of government and our
economic model.
As one of the largest gun manufacturers in the world, you have a
responsibility to set an example for your industry. You should be a
leader in promoting gun owner's rights and interests. You also have a
responsibility to produce safe and reliable products. You further have a
responsibility to your sockholders and employees to remain a viable,
healthy business.
As such, you, and every other gun manufacturer face extreme challenges
in the near future. This is an election year in the United States and
that means election year politics. Gun ownership and the second
ammendment come up frequently during this time. In addition, the press
is giving inordinate ammounts of coverage to school related gun
violence. This creates a hostile legal environment and a hostile public
to your business.
I have read the entire text and interpretation of your agreement with
the Federal Government. I do not want to get into specifics, but I would
like to lodge a complaint with you concerning it. You claim that we, the
buying public, see only our principles of the right to bear arms and
care nothing about your corporate health. I would submit to you that
this is COMPLETELY untrue.
This is a capitalist society. This means that the "invisible hand" of
capitalism determines where society wishes us to place our resources. It
does this through supply and demand and through tort law in the courts.
As the costs that businesses face begin to rise, so do the prices, to
reflect the costs that the public imposes on the manufacturers.
If , in order to remain a viable business, you must raise your prices,
then by all means DO SO. It is in no one's benefit to have your fine
company go bankrupt over poor pricing.
BUT
If, instead of allowing market forces to set your prices, you sacrifice
ground on second ammendment issues, then you will destroy your customer
base. The costs in litigation that face your company are not new. As a
matter of fact, they are the same costs facing EVERY gun manufacturer.
There is a societal shift taking place now. It is one in which society
seems to be deciding that gun manufacturers should begin to pick up the
tab for some gun related deaths.
Same thing happened to bucket manufacturers, ladder manufacturers and
floor jack makers. What did they do? They insured against liability and
passed the cost on to the consumer.
My second ammendment rights are VERY important to me as well as to MANY
others. That vast, vast majority of your civilian customers would
consider the right to bear arms to be a fundamental right that defines
their consent to be governed. Your decision to limit the distribution
and production types of your guns in order to duck legislation and to
break ranks with your fellow gun manufacturers is a betrayal of all
those millions of customers who look to you as an industry leader.
I own a new S&W revolver. It is not a cheap gun. I bought it becasue
your company was a leader in its field and an inovative designer of
quality firearms with a rich history. Even with all that I feel horribly
betrayed by your company's actions. I paid almost $600 for this revolver
and I would pay $800 if I had to so long as you did not compromise the
trust I misplaced in your company.
You have chosen your bed and your bedmate.
I reject them both.
I will vote the only way a single consumer can. With my dollars.
I have bought my last Smith and Wesson product.
Sincerely,
J. T. King
[This message has been edited by J.T.King (edited March 28, 2000).]
**************
Dear Sirs,
I am a 31 yr old professional living in Southern California. I served my
country as a Main Battle Tank crewmember for four years, losing several
friends in Desert Storm. I have several family members who were killed
in World War Two and Vietnam. My family has bled for this country, and
done so willingly, becasue we believe in the principles that this
country was founded on as well as this system of government and our
economic model.
As one of the largest gun manufacturers in the world, you have a
responsibility to set an example for your industry. You should be a
leader in promoting gun owner's rights and interests. You also have a
responsibility to produce safe and reliable products. You further have a
responsibility to your sockholders and employees to remain a viable,
healthy business.
As such, you, and every other gun manufacturer face extreme challenges
in the near future. This is an election year in the United States and
that means election year politics. Gun ownership and the second
ammendment come up frequently during this time. In addition, the press
is giving inordinate ammounts of coverage to school related gun
violence. This creates a hostile legal environment and a hostile public
to your business.
I have read the entire text and interpretation of your agreement with
the Federal Government. I do not want to get into specifics, but I would
like to lodge a complaint with you concerning it. You claim that we, the
buying public, see only our principles of the right to bear arms and
care nothing about your corporate health. I would submit to you that
this is COMPLETELY untrue.
This is a capitalist society. This means that the "invisible hand" of
capitalism determines where society wishes us to place our resources. It
does this through supply and demand and through tort law in the courts.
As the costs that businesses face begin to rise, so do the prices, to
reflect the costs that the public imposes on the manufacturers.
If , in order to remain a viable business, you must raise your prices,
then by all means DO SO. It is in no one's benefit to have your fine
company go bankrupt over poor pricing.
BUT
If, instead of allowing market forces to set your prices, you sacrifice
ground on second ammendment issues, then you will destroy your customer
base. The costs in litigation that face your company are not new. As a
matter of fact, they are the same costs facing EVERY gun manufacturer.
There is a societal shift taking place now. It is one in which society
seems to be deciding that gun manufacturers should begin to pick up the
tab for some gun related deaths.
Same thing happened to bucket manufacturers, ladder manufacturers and
floor jack makers. What did they do? They insured against liability and
passed the cost on to the consumer.
My second ammendment rights are VERY important to me as well as to MANY
others. That vast, vast majority of your civilian customers would
consider the right to bear arms to be a fundamental right that defines
their consent to be governed. Your decision to limit the distribution
and production types of your guns in order to duck legislation and to
break ranks with your fellow gun manufacturers is a betrayal of all
those millions of customers who look to you as an industry leader.
I own a new S&W revolver. It is not a cheap gun. I bought it becasue
your company was a leader in its field and an inovative designer of
quality firearms with a rich history. Even with all that I feel horribly
betrayed by your company's actions. I paid almost $600 for this revolver
and I would pay $800 if I had to so long as you did not compromise the
trust I misplaced in your company.
You have chosen your bed and your bedmate.
I reject them both.
I will vote the only way a single consumer can. With my dollars.
I have bought my last Smith and Wesson product.
Sincerely,
J. T. King
[This message has been edited by J.T.King (edited March 28, 2000).]
