The Chief Executive of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Dan Cooper, likes Obama's general policies so much that he's redistributed $3,300 to the Obama presidential campaign. Thanks to Downright Dusty via Days of our Trailers for the heads up.
I was happy to inform them via their website that in the future I will redistribute MY wealth to a couple of those Illinois firearms manufacturers.I HATE shopping. Truly. I own more guns than pairs of shoes. Guns and ammo, books, music, now those are things I'm happy to shop for. But shopping for the stuff some women seem to want to amass and collect bores me to tears. And I hate stores and crowds. Clauswitz would be proud. I have my list, I do a field study, the layout of the place. Then I dive in unexpectedly, averting near collision with someone spraying samples of perfume by going for a flank position. There they are. Boots. Brown. Size 7, I'm out the door with my spoils in five minutes.
THIS IS HOW MOST WOMEN VIEW SHOPPING
<---This is how most women view shopping at a mall.
THIS IS HOW I VIEW SHOPPING
The difference though, is unlike these Celtic guys I'm not allowed to shop armed. The mall is a "gun free zone". So I avoid it like the black death and hit locally owned places, smaller stores that appreciate my business, concealed or not. Malls are scary enough as it is, sale racks of ugly ties, teenagers with credit cards, tacos at the food court. Go there without a gun? No thank you.
The difference though, is unlike these Celtic guys I'm not allowed to shop armed. The mall is a "gun free zone". So I avoid it like the black death and hit locally owned places, smaller stores that appreciate my business, concealed or not. Malls are scary enough as it is, sale racks of ugly ties, teenagers with credit cards, tacos at the food court. Go there without a gun? No thank you. Gun free. Think about it. Think about some famous gun free places.
Columbine High School.
New York City pizza shop.
Columbine High School.
New York City pizza shop.
Pearl Mississippi High School.
Luby's Cafeteria.
New York pizza shop.
The Amish school in Pennsylvania.
Virginia Tech University.
Virginia Tech University.
and more. . . .
Heller is a step in the right direction but we still have a long ways to go, and need to continue to educate and inform. Guns aren't the evil here, people are the evil.
Certainly the media didn't fault Ryder truck regulations or ammonia nitrate restrictions, or a "cult of agriculture fertilizer" following Timothy McVeigh's horrific crime in Oklahoma City.
No one debated the societal danger of kitchen utensils or other hardware of choice after Jeffery Dahmer drugged, mutilated and cannibalized his victims.
Certainly the media didn't fault Ryder truck regulations or ammonia nitrate restrictions, or a "cult of agriculture fertilizer" following Timothy McVeigh's horrific crime in Oklahoma City.
No one debated the societal danger of kitchen utensils or other hardware of choice after Jeffery Dahmer drugged, mutilated and cannibalized his victims.
I believe it was Albert Einstein who said- "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Nobel Economist Friedrich Hayek termed it a "fatal conceit" and some politicians have had a bad case of it, believing they can change the world with their God- like legal attestation as to what THEY think our rights are. But the fatal conceit is not metaphoric, it's literal. People die because social-control laws do not stop criminals but simply prevent law abiding citizens from protecting themselves and those under their care.
So until the next step is taken, I will not shop in gun free malls or gun free stores. I will not buy any products from Cooper Firearms if their leader supports a candidate who is on the record with a wish to remove Second Amendment rights. I may be one lone woman, but I'm a lone woman with a single six figure income and a platinum credit card. Businesses may not care for my views, but they DO care about my buying power. Cooper may not care if they lose the business of one, but I am one of many. I won't take my money any place that has the audacity to demand unarmed helplessness. I won't spend my money for businesses that support, even if indirectly, those that would take those rights from us. Guns themselves in the malls aren't going to cause my demise, any more than Ryder trucks cause terrorism, water causes drowning and forks cause obesity. Guns in the malls, guns in a store, only make me a victim when I'm the one that doesn't have one. They're not "gun free" they are "good-guy gun free" zones.
.
I have a profession where I've studied the insanity of fate and the methodology of greed and evil. It has a profile, a plan and a preferred environment where its prey can not fight back. Embrace the facts and spread the word, take your business elsewhere. And tell them why.
I have a profession where I've studied the insanity of fate and the methodology of greed and evil. It has a profile, a plan and a preferred environment where its prey can not fight back. Embrace the facts and spread the word, take your business elsewhere. And tell them why.
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37 comments:
I will never look at a cooper rifle with respect again. They are tainted by their makers poor judgment. I too choose where my disposable income goes carefully, such as it is.
Thanks for the post Brigid. It's timely.
I wasn't even in the market for a firearm like the fancy ones they manufacture, but all this talk has got me thinking... who can I give some of my hard-earned money that isn't Cooper's?
My new pledge:
Every time an anti-gun idiot does something like this, I promise to spend money doing something pro-rights (giving $ to the NRA, spending money at local pro-2A gun shops, etc.)
Why I buy my ammo from local FFL's and businesses that support gun rights, not at WalMart, even if it costs me a few extra dollars every week.
Excellent points, Brigid. Illinois is one of the few places in the nation where law-abiding people do not have the ability to get a concealed weapon permit thanks to the Mayors Daley and community activists such as Barack Obama.
Chicago is the now the national murder capital.
I laughed (out loud!) at your description of shopping. Classic.
Cooper has every right to support Obama; and other citizens have every right to not buy his products and try to get others to do the same. I can't help but wonder how Mr. Cooper will feel when Obama begins his push to tax him out of business.
Well said Brigid! I like the mall analogy too! :-)
Thanks for the information, I just sent the following email to them,
Dear Sirs,
It has come to my attention that you are supporting the Presidential campaign of Barack Obama. Prior to my attaining this bit of knowledge you were on a very short list of companies to build my next firearm. At this point the list is shorter and you are absent.
Sincerely,
I wanted a mil spec anyway.
zdog9 - "Prior to my attaining this bit of knowledge you were on a very short list of companies to build my next firearm. At this point the list is shorter and you are absent."
I LOVE that!!!
What are the legal ramifications of ignoring "gun free zone" signs on commercials entities where you live? In WA, all they can do is ask you to leave, and if you come back all they can do is report you for misdemeanor trespass. First they have to prove that they are posted clearly on every entrance to their facility. I only know of one mall that is so marked, and I have never heard of anyone being asked to lave. (Maybe we conceal effectively here...)
At least one major theater chain locally is so posted, but they have told folks that it does not apply to CPL holders.
I got in trouble for laughing too loud at Rob Becker's descriptions of Women v Men shopping (Gathering v Hunting) in Defending the Caveman. (I think dragging me to see The Vagina Monologues was going to far, though.)
Word: dynatio. Sounds like a Latin-speaking Superhero.
d.w. -Legally here, the signs have no real clout unless they are places that, by state law, guns are prohibited, which are few and NOT most mall stores.
You got dragged to V.M.? Oh, you poor thing.
I get out to WA yearly, brothers in Poulsbo and Bothell and Sequim. Next year, would love if you and the Mrs. would meet us for coffee or something.
"Cult of the Agricultural Fertilizer"
Now that's just funny.
Liked the essay on "gun free". It's like drawing a chalk line on the sidewalk and convincing the "sheep" that it's an impenetrable barrier. Lunacy.
I'm lucky to live in Missouri which is a very gun friendly state. Penalties for carrying in a no-gun place are a citation and $100 fine, IF you don't leave when asked by the owner/proprietor. The fine increases if there is a recurrence.
The people in Illinois have a difficult time of it because of Chicago's political dominance. But there are stirrings. Some counties have recently sent notices to the legislature that they want concealed carry laws enacted.
As for deciding where to spend our dollars, Midway USA has a "round-up" policy where you can round up your purchase and the adder is donated to the NRA. That's the kind of business I patronize.
Mike
After most of their dealers dropped them like a hot potato, and they started refusing email, Cooper Inc. has put out this missive. .
"Regarding the USA Today Article. Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc. did not contribute and does not support in any fashion the campaign of Senator Obama.
Nine months ago Dan Cooper (personally) made an online donation to the campaign in an effort to help defeat Hillary Clinton and in protest of American plant closures and the shipping of jobs overseas. "
Sorry but the owner of the company financially supported Obama. Only when his customers started complaining did he send a check to McCain.
Too late. You've already lost this customer for life. Personal or not, it's your name on your guns, and I don't want them in my house.
Thanks to all of you that commented. - B.
If the Illinois ban does pass, and those manufacturers do leave, I hope they will consider coming next door to Indiana. This state could use their patronage.
Brigid, thank you for not shopping at walmart(they don't deserve caps) , I won't set foot in there either. Cheap chinese toxic crap! West By God- the last time (February) the anti's got me P.O.'d I scrimped and saved and bought a AR50A1. That'll learn 'em, well maybe not but i'll have fun. the mushroom
Charles - Yes, I like a state that when they put "In God We Trust" in big letters on the license plates and the ACLU complained they told them to pound sand, there were other plates available if folks wanted them but In God We Trust was by far the most popular and it was staying.
Brigid, were can I get one of the business cards or is that a "print it yourself" thing? I've seen pictures of them before and always wanted a few handy. I consider Florida, where I live, a "gun-friendly" state with a pretty good castle doctrine(wish we would go open carry.) There are a few gun-free businesses around but they usually don't fuss unless the carry is blatantly obvious.
I would like to see the Illinois gun manufacturers move here. Now if I could just get someone to put in a 500 yard rifle range...
Cooper is off my list too and I always admired their guns.
Good way to go.
I buy nearly everything online or at gunshows. Shopping is not something I really enjoy ether.
Simply put no guns means no money
Perhaps Cooper wishes to sell to "The Elite", & perfers not to sell to us the great "unwashed"
I found an upside to the Obama campaign. Over a glass of wine, commiserating with my wife about the nation's future, she spontaneously said, "you need to buy another gun...and we should have a lot more ammunition around." See? There is a silver lining in that cloud (no racist pun intended.)
I agree 100% regarding small gun dealers vice big box stores. I avoid Wal-Mart like a plague house and refuse to ackowledge even Cabela's after letting them make an offer on some quality guns for resale. Visited a local TX small dealer yesterday and got to meet a lot of nice folks and talk about guns. Life is good.
As for malls, count me out. But if I must, I usually miss the sign on the door. I believe that concealed means concealed. What they don't know can't hurt me. Need prevails over compliance.
I hate shopping and yet my girlfriend LOVES it. She'll buy all the girly stuff too. She loves designer labels on her shoes and clothes. I see shopping as something that has to be done (food etc) not something I do for pleasure. People may think I'm tight with my money, but they never complain when I'm first to get a round in at the bar. Funny that.
As to Cooper and the gun-free malls? Scary. There lies a slippery slope. Once they start 'legally' banning in one place it starts to spread.
Actually, this touches on a subject I'm wanting to work on. I want to write my local MP and suggest that the ban on handguns has failed and its time to allow honest citizens the right to own them once more. Any suggestions from you or your readers on what to include in the letter?
I hope those gun makers will move over here, too. There's not many states more gun friendly than Indiana. I just got my lifetime permit last week.
Amusing how Cooper was attempting to buy their way into his graces, perhaps hoping they could maintain their line of work if he took office.
Fools - utter fools.
Amusing, though, their attempt at denial.
I feel the same way about shopping - catalogs are optimal, online is fine. But if I have to hit the mall? 10am during the week with a specific path determined and a list in hand.
Hate the hoards.
Brigid,
Yet another excellent post, fatal conceit indeed. Beside your personal economic impact on their decision, don't forget the influence that you have via your blog. You provide valuable information to others so that they can make informed decisions with regard to the likes of Cooper et al.
Capo del Fuoco
I love it! Missouri has specific requirements on the font size and text that may appear on a gun-ban sign. But if you do carry where posted, all they can do is ask you to leave. 'Course if you don't, then they can call the cops.
BTW, I order ammo from the manufacturer (Buffalo Bore for one and on-line too,) or from AMMOMAN (www.ammoman.com) and have my ammo delivered directly to my home. It's cheaper and you get free delivery from Ammoman.
Ed - your wife sounds like a very a bright woman. Hope she picks out something nice.
yabusame - most of what you could put in would be available by doing web searching as to how the ban on handguns has NOT decreased crime. Indeed in many cities, it increases it.
Crucis - thanks for those links!
Because of where I live it is not easy to go to the "local" gun store. (Haven't learned to walk on water as yet) About a year ago I was told about Midway arms and have bought all my stuff from them since then to the tune of about $4k. Mr. Cooper will never see a dime.
i'm with you on the shopping thing - i have as many guns as i do pairs of shoes (and i'm planning to keep it that way). Unfortunately i live in a country where you can not carry :( so i applaud you for not supporting the "gun free" zones ... i love those cards of yours ... keep up the good work.
Brigid- After reading about Cooper, I did a little checking and wrote them an email basically saying I would not buy and would tell everyone I came in contact with not to buy... I just got this back from them-
In response to the recent article highlighting Dan Cooper's personal
political donations, the board of directors, shareholders and employees
of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc would like to issue the following
statement.
The employees, shareholders and board of directors of Cooper Firearms of
Montana do not share the personal political views of Dan Cooper.
Although we all believe everyone has a right to vote and donate as they
see fit, it has become apparent that the fallout may affect more than
just Mr. Cooper. It may also affect the employees and the shareholders
of Cooper Firearms.
The board of directors has asked Mr. Cooper to resign as President of
Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc.
Daily operations will continue with the competent staff currently in
place in Stevensville, MT producing the finest, most accurate rifles
money can buy.
Dan Cooper has spent all of his working life producing the highest
quality rifles built here in the USA. He started with nothing but the
American Dream and built that into firearms company anyone would be
proud of. We firmly believe Dan stands by the 2nd amendment.
We wish him all of the best in his future pursuits.
zdogk9 said:
"Dear Sirs,
It has come to my attention that you are supporting the Presidential campaign of Barack Obama. Prior to my attaining this bit of knowledge you were on a very short list of companies to build my next firearm. At this point the list is shorter and you are absent.
Sincerely,"
Awards that man them *silver spurs*! HAHAHA!
Frankly....I love it!
To be honest; There was a time I'd of stood by Dan. He worked his tail off and sought to build the best he possibly could.
Sorry Dan.
People like you and Senator Max Backus(D) are now part of the far off distant past I had with Montana.
Good luck in your future endeavors, dude.
I mean... what sense does it make, if you work in the gun industry, to donate to someone who wants to crush your industry and who roughly 90% of your customers passionately disagree with? Whose political views are so against the grain of this great country, that they have a hard time distinguishing between him and the leaders of failed states that we have opposed in the past? What sense does that make?
I was planning on a nice Cooper 22LR as one of my next purchases.
No more.
Now it will be Kimber, Winchester 52 or a Anschutz.
Thanks for the comments. I was not aware of the issue with Dan Cooper's donations. I also don't really care about the Board's approach to the problem.
Fundementally you are either part of the solution or the problem.
They're out of my price range and application anyhow since they don't make a tactical Ninja-gun - but screw 'em anyhow! As for a .22 rifle - I'd rather have the grace, history, and charm of a 1942 Winchester 52B, but I already have a Model 90 in WRF.
well I was shopping for 30-06. They didn't have one anyway. And it would have cost too much. To the hock shop w/me.......
And when you are about to find your self in Washington, or even Montana, drop me a line, and I'll buzz on over for coffee. Plus the privilege of meeting you.
To those who inquired, CCW courtesy cards are available here
http://www.firearmscoalition.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=169&Itemid=113
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