Arsenal, Inc. statement

[CALI-gula]

They figured out CA spends more money on guns than Idaho?

Probably; perfect example? I went to the eastern side of the Midwest recently; visited no less than 7 gun stores, of what one might consider "well-stocked" stores in a VERY 2nd Amendment-friendly state (with shall-issue CCW).

Few if any had any measurable range of AK-style rifles, and of those that did have them, they had only one model of IOC/WASR or CAI guns only. Limited selections, not many black rifles of any kind, and nothing exotic - mostly low-level cost wood-guns galore.

Honestly; even with others states not having the ridiculous bans we have in CA, they simply don't have the wide selection, offerings, and consumer interest (backed by surplus cash)0 to support the consumerism we put forth into guns here in CA.

In fact, from my observation, the ridiculous bans here in CA only breed contempt with a rebellious attitude against the laws, thus people buy an AK or AR, not because they really want one in all cases, but because they found a way to get one legally within the superficial mirage of the so-called "intent" of the law to prevent them from getting such a firearm.

Make something taboo, and pass laws equating that item to taboo, and people will only flock to figure ways of obtaining it. 2nd AMENDMENT AND GUN BANS ARE (sometimes) THE MOTHER OF FIREARM INVENTION.

11 Year Old kids don't sneak into Rated-G and PG-13 movies - they are slipping into rate R movies because they are being told they are not allowed to see it. 21 year old kids are often not buying a Ruger Model 1 or a Browning Safari, but instead are buying "evil black rifles" because they are being told it's so, so, so bad for them and society.

Tell a kid to not take cookies from the cookie jar - and he will obsess on that very mission.

.

[Cali-Shooter]

Probably; perfect example? I went to the eastern side of the Midwest recently; visited no less than 7 gun stores, of what one might consider "well-stocked" stores in a VERY 2nd Amendment-friendly state (with shall-issue CCW).

Few if any had any measurable range of AK-style rifles, and of those that did have them, they had only one model of IOC/WASR or CAI guns only. Limited selections, not many black rifles of any kind, and nothing exotic - mostly low-level cost wood-guns galore.

Honestly; even with others states not having the ridiculous bans we have in CA, they simply don't have the wide selection, offerings, and consumer interest (backed by surplus cash)0 to support the consumerism we put forth into guns here in CA.

In fact, from my observation, the ridiculous bans here in CA only breed contempt with a rebellious attitude against the laws, thus people buy an AK or AR, not because they really want one in all cases, but because they found a way to get one legally within the superficial mirage of the so-called "intent" of the law to prevent them from getting such a firearm.

Make something taboo, and pass laws equating that item to taboo, and people will only flock to figure ways of obtaining it. 2nd AMENDMENT AND GUN BANS ARE (sometimes) THE MOTHER OF FIREARM INVENTION.

11 Year Old kids don't sneak into Rated-G and PG-13 movies - they are slipping into rate R movies because they are being told they are not allowed to see it. 21 year old kids are often not buying a Ruger Model 1 or a Browning Safari, but instead are buying "evil black rifles" because they are being told it's so, so, so bad for them and society.

Tell a kid to not take cookies from the cookie jar - and he will obsess on that very mission.

.

I guess it comes to show, you no longer cherish things like the RTKBA until it is withheld from you. And booooooyyyy, have we been withheld from it.

Those in free states might not appreciate the 2nd amendment like we do here, because over here, every single fabric, thread, and dust particle of our 2A rights are ALWAYS threatened. You don't appreciate what you have until it is gone.

[Merc1138]

Do I think Arsenal was being a-holes with their self imposed ban on California sales and threatening to cut off dealers who ship to California? Yes.

Did they finally wake up and realize that people in California can buy AKs without anyone(buyer, seller, manufacturer) getting in trouble and that there's a LOT of people in California with money who want to buy their products so they can make some money? Duh. No company is in the business for charity, it comes down to money.

Here's the thing. There are a number of companies and resellers out there who won't sell to California. When one of them finally wakes up(to the smell of cash), why is it we need to turn on them? If more of these anti-California sales businesses start selling to us, are you guys going to cuss them out for it as well? Even if you don't like their pricing, why complain?

[Cyc Wid It]

Do I think Arsenal was being a-holes with their self imposed ban on California sales and threatening to cut off dealers who ship to California? Yes.

Did they finally wake up and realize that people in California can buy AKs without anyone(buyer, seller, manufacturer) getting in trouble and that there's a LOT of people in California with money who want to buy their products so they can make some money? Duh. No company is in the business for charity, it comes down to money.

Here's the thing. There are a number of companies and resellers out there who won't sell to California. When one of them finally wakes up(to the smell of cash), why is it we need to turn on them? If more of these anti-California sales businesses start selling to us, are you guys going to cuss them out for it as well? Even if you don't like their pricing, why complain?

Think it's mostly a matter of (when able) supporting companies that supported us and didn't treat us like crap. It's not like they produce a unique product.

[Merc1138]

I never pretended arsenal makes a unique product, that's not the point at all. Does arsenal doing business in CA offend your honor or something? Oh no, possibly slightly more variety at the gun shops, how dare they!

Like I said, I know what arsenal's stance in the past was, and how they treated resellers. But if people are just going to throw a fit and complain when a company decides to change their mind and sell to California, why would the next company want to bother if all that happens is they get flamed for making the decision to do business here?

[rojocorsa]

I have mixed feelings on this, only because I care about what products they sell.

I certainly agree that they're hypocrites for saying that they're all for RKBA and then not sell to us.

I also hate it when other people in other states say that we brought it on ourselves and deserve to be punished. Never mind all of us that take new shooters to the range and volunteer our time for RKBA. Let's just disregard those that are proactive here.

All these companies that won't sell to us: they're the ones that are ultimately missing out on the Golden state's dollars. But I'm preaching to the choir here.

[Backinblack1234]

They are not going to get a cent from me. They can pound sand.

[hoozaru]

i will forgive Arsenal if they could sell me a milled SAM-7 for $500

[Plisk]

i will forgive Arsenal if they could sell me a milled SAM-7 for $500

+1000000

[CSACANNONEER]

If they were truely working to uphold the 2nd, they would have been the first to help those of us behind enemy lines. I guess they are just upset that they have decided not to sell to the largest gun market in the country. It's their loss and they won't get my respect any time soon. They can keep their over priced Saiga conversions.

i will forgive Arsenal if they could sell me a milled SAM-7 for $500

They could and would still be making a good profit. You can build one for a lot less than $500!

[CALI-gula]

Not good - especially from a company that in my opinion makes one of the finest milled-receiver AKs ever made, if not the finest AKs ever, stamped or milled - period.

It's too bad they could not have seen just who it was they were infringing upon way back when; by not selling to CA citizens and blaming outnumbered gun owners (their customers) for such legislation by the likes of Gray Davis and his minion, they were only giving in to what the politicos wanted in the first place; to destroy gun ownership by destroying the sale of guns - so a manufacturer decided to given in to self-destruction by politico ingenuity? Oxy-moron much?

Sad. Especially since their guns have some grand market appeal to more economically sound areas - like CA; you won't see $1500 AKs flying out retailor doors in Ripley, West Virginia any time soon, even though they are allowed to have as many as they want, no infringement, and on a cash & carry (with 4473) basis. The money just isn't there.

However I know that if these had been made available to us by Arsenal, Inc. being CA distributor/retailer friendly over the past few years in CA, the hinges on the doors at Ammo Bros would have already been worn down to broken nubs by now.

Californians have money to spend - not so with so many other depressed areas of the country. Too bad. Sad to see a company's choices be so arrogant to eventually put themselves out of business.

.

[C.W.M.V.]

... - especially from a company that in my opinion makes one of the finest milled-receiver AKs ever made, if not the finest AKs ever, stamped or milled - period...

Thats debatable. Its a Saiga, which is good, but nothing arsenal does is outside the abilities of a descent smith with the right tools.

[andrewj]

Not being an AK guy, I was unaware that Arsenal had been giving us the finger. I wonder how they're gonna make their rifles CA compliant though. I hope they don't waste time and money making them top loaders like that Century Arms abomination.

[C.W.M.V.]

Not being an AK guy, I was unaware that Arsenal had been giving us the finger. I wonder how they're gonna make their rifles CA compliant though. I hope they don't waste time and money making them top loaders like that Century Arms abomination.

No kidding. I cant believe someone thought that abortion was a good idea.

[CSACANNONEER]

No kidding. I cant believe someone thought that abortion was a good idea.

It was exactly that idea that was used on the first non AW AKs that came into this state. Without ideas just like that, there would not be OLLs period!