I first learned of the back-room deal that is currently in the works between NRA heads and Congresspersons to get the ATF out of a tight spot on the classification of PGO firearms from David Codrea’s excellent article on the subject. (Note that the first link in his story links to Shockwave Technologies’ website.)

The “deal,” as I understand it is that Congress will “tweak” the law in order to get ATF out of this situation (and screw gun owners, no doubt) if the gun-grabbers in Congress can have a ban on tracer ammunition. And apparently, instead of perhaps, oh, I don’t know, asking the people who they represent (us), Congress is allowing the NRA to speak on our behalf, negotiating away our Civil Rights without our consent. What’s been termed a “compromise” in this “deal” means that we gun owners will lose something when it comes to PGO firearms—and the ability to purchase, own, and use tracer ammunition. I swear, every time I hear the word “compromise” when it comes to gun-grabbing, we gun owners always lose something—and never gain anything. I’m not sure that gun-grabbers even know what the word “compromise” means. (In my vernacular, a compromise would be: “Sure, you assholes in Congress can have tracer ammunition, but we the people get back machineguns.” Now THAT’S a compromise!)

Because the subject directly affects our business (regarding the Raptor Grip line), I wrote David Codrea to ask him if he knew anything more about what “tweaks” to the law the NRA and Congress are working on in secret. He responded very quickly. (David, again, I really appreciate the quick reply.) Being the upstanding journalist he is, he wouldn’t reveal anything more to me than was in the article because it might compromise his sources. He did, however, forward my email address to one of his sources, who wrote me later that same night.

Now, I doubt that that source wants his name out there at the moment, so I won’t reveal his name. (And if you contact me, I won’t tell you.) But he did direct me to several pieces of information that are currently available online about this PGO “issue.” Here are a few of them:

• Click here and then go to the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, as amended tab.
• First article at sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com by Mike Vanderboegh.
• The NRA-ILA’s Chris W. Cox caught on camera lying about the subject. Also on SSI’s site.

Now why do I believe Mike V. that Chris C. is lying? Because I was right in the middle of negotiating a deal with Mossberg for a bulk purchase of 14″ front ends for 500/590 guns. I was working with Joe Zakher (jzakher@maverickarms.com), whom I had met at the SHOT Show earlier this year. His last email to me was dated March 26th—and then pure silence. To this day, I still can’t raise him by email or phone. And I have heard from numerous customers that as of April 1st, Mossberg’s new “internal policy” is to no longer sell legal products (14″ front ends) to law-abiding citizens.

Something is up. And the silence from the NRA, Congress, ATF, and Mossberg is deafening.

Thank you for reading,
Marty