Here we sit again…
Benchmade, a well known name in the circle of knives and the overlapping circle of the firearms owning community. Benchmade’s home is in Oregon, not a paragon for the 2A community…
When a state isn’t known for its 2A advocacy and support the police departments are viewed with a great deal of suspicion and distrust. The image, no matter the individual character of the officers and the department, is one of statist thug and not a protector of individual liberty.
So when a department celebrates with you destroying guns…
Police departments have policies in place. They have rules they must follow.
This does nothing to assuage the fact that some of the firearms destroyed could’ve been lawfully owned and unable to be reclaimed by their lawful owners due to bureaucratic nightmare. It does nothing to cover the fact that some of those guns should probably not have been scrapped.
Even if all the firearms in this case were legitimate crime guns not all the firearms destroyed fall into that category, and even one gun unreturned to a lawful owner at the hands of bureaucrats is a problem… a big problem. It poisons the well of public trust and that poison is now associated with Benchmade.
SEE OFFICIAL STATEMENT BELOW
Benchmade is aware of the recent post from our local Oregon City Police Department.
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We apologize for the confusion and concern that this post created. These were firearms that the Oregon City Police Department had to destroy in alignment with their policies. Oregon City Police requested the use of specialty equipment within the Benchmade facility to follow these requirements, and as a supporting partner of our local police force, we obliged the request.
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Benchmade is a proud and unwavering supporter of both law enforcement and Second Amendment rights. These are commitments that we do not take lightly and will continue to support well into the future.
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When asked for clarity from Oregon City Police Department, Chief Jim Band made the following statement: “When property is to be destroyed, it is the policy of the Oregon City Police Department to destroy property, including firearms, in accordance to our procedures and ORS. The Oregon City Police Department does not sell firearms.”
-Benchmade
Emphasis Mine.
The OCP is following their rulebook. It was Benchmade’s call to help instead of politely declining. Deciding to help an entity of city and state authority that, in the broadspace of state political attitude and will, is anti-gun is a direct attack on already embattled 2A advocates… who also happen to make up a substantial portion of the Benchmade customer base.
Benchmade, you goofed. How do assure “We the People” and we the buyers that you support the Second Amendment when you will participate in the destruction of firearms for entities with a known hostility towards the 2A?
This doesn’t begin to address the allegation that Benchmade has supported anti-2A politicians within Oregon with their money. I have no confirming information for that rumor but it is flying.
We will see.
For further reminders of the bad idea fairy… remember X-Products?
