(EDITORIAL) After Restrictive Legislation in Maryland, What’s Next for Beretta?

Guns.Com ^ | Mar. 12, 2013 | David Higginbotham

[EXCH54FE]

In the 1980s, Maryland looked like a logical place for Beretta USA to do business. When the 500 year old Italian company began establishing their American made brand image, they found the Old Line State most hospitable. D.C. is a short drive north. Virginia, with its federal agencies and long sporting traditions, is close on the western and southern borders. Beretta chose Accokeek, a area ripe for expansion with a readily available work force and a history of firearms production.

Beretta USA’s presence in the southern part of the state has been an economic boon for the local residents. Beretta USA has contributed millions to the state’s coffers.

Beretta USA’s employees, and countless others involved in supplying their Maryland plant, produce the M9, the side arm of most US military troops.

Why, then, would state legislators actively pursue legislation that will make it impossible for Beretta USA to continue with business as usual? It seems dubious, economically. But politicians aren’t idiots.

It is easier to blame our epidemic social problems on polymer and steel (and appear to be doing something) than it is to actually address the roots of violent behavior and mental illness, (which may shift the responsibility to parents, teachers, media, clergy, voters… all of us). Ban a gun and pat yourself on the back for solving the problem.

But What About Beretta?

[doc11355]

Texas should take over MD and move in troops.

Maybe you have a good idea.

Maryland has a history of needing to be occupied to keep it on the straight and narrow. Thousand of Union troops were bivouacked here during the Civil War since it was a slave state full of Southern sympathizers and right on Washington DC's doorstep.

[setha]

Then what prevents them from splitting the company into two businesses, and simply relocating the private sector part out of Maryland? Government customers get the Maryland production while everyone else gets the production from the other entity in another state.

In a subtle way that could be a way to spite their largest customer.

[longtermmemmory]

silence is toxic.

there is only one correct answer.

Dicks Sporting Goods posted a bad quarter in this environment when they could have been turning a profit.

Smith and Wesson found it out in the 1990s.

Demonize the customer and the customer will take their money elsewhere.

[Daffynition]

Do a full Ronnie Barrett, is what you mean! :)

[SJSAMPLE]

No.
There’s nothing really wrong with the military M9 and M9A1 pistols. They have some good features that enabled them to WIN (yes) the small arms contract for the USGI sidearm. Of course, price was one of these, but the M9 pistol met and exceeded the contract requirements.

I used to have a 92FS, which was the product-improved version of the M9 and it shot fine. I think the placement of the decocker/safety on the slide was a mistake, and the open slide was supposed to prevent jams but lets in too much dirt, especially in the desert.

It’s still a fine pistol, but I prefer Glocks and SIGs.

[SJSAMPLE]

Up until the late 1990s, SIGs used roll pins with out issue.

But, I agree about the spring bombs. I used to vacuum up my shop just to filer through the trap to find all the springs I’d lost.

[ANGGAPO]

Beretta will move if the State continues to push this legislation. They are a business to sell a product, in order to make money. If they are not wanted in Maryland they will go.

[ANGGAPO]

“Texas should take over MD and move in troops.”
I will drink to that.

[Darksheare]

Exactly.
They’d be crying in weeks.

[Jack Black]

His advice was to avoid Beretta....was the young Marine right?

I would say "No". Beretta has a large line of pistols, including the current issue sidearm of the US military. There are a lot of very nice guns among all those models. Their cowboy action pistols, essentially Single Action Army clones, are very nice in function and fit and finish.

I've played with the new micro-nine, the Nano. It's a really cool gun too. In general Beretta's are very nicely made. But like any mechanical device some people will prefer other designs over Beretta. But they are almost universally acknowledged as a high-quality maker.

Their shotguns are really top shelf, and highly sought after. They are usually considered near the top of production shotguns, and fetch a pretty price.

[Daffynition]

Barrett’s Position Regarding the Assault on Liberty 02.20.13

Bears repeating. Wish other manufacturers en masse will grow a pair like Ronnie.
February 20, 2013

Barrett opposes those who are illegally disarming the American public from their efficient arms and creating superior armed elitist government agencies.  

Elected state officials of New York, having been sworn to protect our Constitution, have instead committed an offense against it and their citizens by stripping inalienable rights duly protected and guaranteed under the Second Amendment. By their deliberate and sinister actions, these officials now cause their state and local policing agencies to enforce these unconstitutional and illegal so called “laws”. 

By current law, Barrett cannot be an accomplice with any lawbreaker, therefore, cannot and will not service or sell to New York government agencies. Barrett also applies this stance to the individual elected official who, as a matter of public record, has voted for or created regulation that violates the constitutional rights of their citizens. This is an expansion of our 2002 ban against the California government due to their second amendment infringements, and shall apply to any future violators. 

In the course of world history there have been officials that strip inalienable rights from the people that were given to all by our Creator. Most of these officials inevitably come to trial, some do not.

Intentionally violating constitutional rights by officials that have sworn to uphold them should have severe prison sentences.

With the clear vision of horrible events in history repeating itself, all manufacturers of firearms or related equipment remaining in partnership with such violators should have a respectable fear of being found with the guilty on their day of trial.

During this era of assault on liberty, Barrett will remain steadfast in our efforts to serve law-abiding citizens of all fifty states, and stands together with you in the struggles we will fight and win.

Ronnie Barrett
Chairman and CEO

 

[Darksheare]

Sadly, many manufacturers see the government as their prime customer and ignore the people, viewing us as anything from a nuisance to a “Throw Away” market.
Seems only a few have a solid pair.

[Daffynition]

‘Tis the time to let them know, why you or me as lowly joe 6-pack, are going to do business with those who stand up to tyranny.

It’s only a drop in the proverbial bucket, but at least it is something.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

It’s been tried. It all came to grief in a cornfield near Sharpsburg.

[Vision]

Texas should take over MD and move in troops.

Yes, how can we make this happen?

[Have Ruck - Will Travel]

I believe they were already invited by the House Speaker of Mississippi to relocate there. We have good machinists in MS too.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I think they should go ahead and move, if this gun bill becomes law. Politically speaking, this state blows dead goats.

Maryland “Freak State” PING!