From Magpul’s Facebook page:

Back in 1990, when I was deployed in Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a Marine grunt, some companies prioritized me items for my M16 for shipping that I purchased with my own funds. After getting out and forming Magpul in 1999, I established the same priority policy for Military and Law Enforcement, due to the requirements of their profession . . .

The same policy has been in place for 13 years now and has never been an issue until a few days ago. I do not support the idea that individual police officers should be punished for the actions of their elected officials. That said, I understand the concerns that some have with Law Enforcement officers getting special treatment while at the same time denouncing second amendment rights to another citizen in the same state.

With the fight in Colorado right now we do not have time to implement a new program, so I have suspended all LE sales to ban states until we can implement a system wherein any Law Enforcement Officer buying for duty use will have to promise to uphold their oath to the US Constitution – specifically the second and fourteenth amendments – as it applies to all citizens.

Richard Fitzpatrick
President/CEO – Founder
Magpul Industries

[h/t John Boch]

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

101 COMMENTS

    • If more major gun, gear and ammo companies joined this boycott, it would not have to last very long. The pressure on LEOs would be just too great. They would go out of their way to change the current abomination of a law. The outcome would be beneficial to both LEOs and civilians. I know that Magpul and Armalite don’t want to punish individual LEOs who may very well be opposed to the SAFE Act, but this sort of pressure is necessary, if only for a short term. As a result the law will be changed sooner or later and they will be able to resume regular sales.

    • What about LEOs in such states that buy for personal use, rather than duty use? They should have the same limitations that civilians suffer, if Magpul chooses to offer such gimped products for sale into those benighted municipalities.

      And I understand that they can’t control what their resellers choose to do, but for direct retail they should ‘honor’ states’ limits for ALL customers (even if they offer discounts to LEO, retired .mil, etc) or refuse retail sales for ALL customers of those states.

    • Takes a big man to admit a mistake, and a smart one, so quickly.
      I suspect it makes things simpler, to not ship to any state with anti-gun laws, like NY.

      I only hope CA doesnt end up on their $hit-list, especially if the news of this little scandal gets confirmed upon investigation. http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/02/25/55123.htm

  2. well, I think that’s a damn good compromise. Props to a company for good PR and being responsive to the community. Definitely not tone deaf

  4. That cracking sound you heard is the whiplash of all the people snapping their heads around to face the other direction from their angry WHARRGARBL of the past two or three days.

    Of course, I still figure that about 95% of them were full of shit, and the only thing they’re actually doing is thanking the sweet baby Jesus that they don’t actually have to demonstrate the courage of their convictions now.

    • I wasn’t happy with their initial stance. I am happy with their response to apparently important customers and their application of principled business philosophy. That’s all.

    • You’re being presumptuous. I was ready never to buy another mag from them again. There are plenty of suitable choices out there, they just used to be the cheapest quality mag you could get before the panic buying.

      This is what they should’ve said in the first place. Another poster mentioned something like this in the last Magpul article’s comment section and I agreed with them.

      It’s not ideal but it’s a good message to be sending.

      I personally hope that Defense Distributed starts selling mags so I can buy from them.

      • > I personally hope that Defense Distributed starts
        > selling mags so I can buy from them.

        The point of what Defense Distributed is doing is that you won’t need to buy magazines from anybody. You’ll be able to make them at home with the push of a button.

        See http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2013/02/making-guns-home

        Making Guns At Home
        Ready, print, fire
        Feb 14th 2013, 16:27 by Economist.com

        LAST autumn Cody Wilson, a law student at the University of Texas, leased a Stratasys 3D printer. He wanted to print a gun, and more—he and the group he founded, Defense Distributed, wanted to develop blueprints for 3D printing of guns and gun parts, and distribute those blueprints online. Mr Wilson’s motives are overtly political; he wants to “[expand] a free sphere of action…in contradistinction to a planned regulatory scheme…The file is the message. Anyone can have it, anyone can print it, anyone can use it.”

        • Not a problem.

          In a year or two, there are going to be outfits renting printer time. Give them your CC# and the file you want printed, and they send you the product.

          And as with most computer-driven devices, what you get for your money just gets better as time passes. You might not be able to afford a 3d printer now, but they’re going to be cheaper next year, and cheaper still a year after that.

        • There already are outfits renting CNC and 3D time.
          There already are outfits that will print what files you send them. They will not print gun parts, nor can they legally – it makes them a manufacturer.

          That’s why I am constantly railing against this DD meatpuppet brat – he is doing nothing but kicking the hornets’ nest to stroke his own ego. Boldly shouting about what others did years ago.

          The only way DD stuff can be printed by you, the home user is…

          A: He gears it to reprap, which uses a grade of ABS thermoplastic suitable for slightly beyond decorative purposes only. Which apparently he’s not doing, since he bought a Stratasys to replace the one they took away.

          B: You go buy a used Stratasys/equivalent for $5-10K. Mas o menos if you’re a good shopper.

          You wanna make cheap long-lasting actual functional gun parts out of readily available materials? Get a table-top CNC mill for $2K or less.
          You can then machine lowers out of Delrin (or whatever floats your boat) in a few hours each. Best part? They’re strong enough to work and last. People have been doing it for years.

          Worried about getting Delrin or whatever? There’s a world of incredibly strong two-part epoxies you can get at any hardware store. Cast rough blocks and machine away.

          Please guys, if you are at all interested in what can actually be done at home, noodle around on YouTube for awhile. There’s thousands of vids, and it’s a tiny fraction of the home gunsmith hobby.

    • You can’t imagine you were “somewhat” out of line? You have the right to you views, as we have ours. And I support your right to express them.

      However, this in no way implies agreement or consent.

      See, I have my own views. It feels like you’re calling us out for taking a more principled stand. This is the opportunity for you to clarify your stance.

      We can work this out without you saying 95% of us are “full of shit”. In the immortal words of Disco Tex (aka Monte Rock III), “Dig YOURSELF, baby!”

      Do I feel you were a bit harsh and confrontational? ABSOLUTELY. But I still like you. But NOT “in that way”.

      • Who, me? 😀

        I have no issues with your “principled stand,” as you call it. More power to you. I didn’t think that Magpul’s stance was out of line originally, but everyone’s entitled to their opinion. My 95% FOS comment was based on a previous comment I made in the other Magpul thread, where I said that it’s easy for people to say they’re “never gonna buy an Armalite again” because the odds are that most would never buy an Armalite anyway. On the other hand, swearing off Magpul is a lot harder, as they are kinda the “go-to” brand for AR accessories. I know there are others, but they are the “standard” by which most others are measured. My comment there, and by extension here, is that probably 95% of the people who were “never gonna buy Magpul again” were blowing smoke. They could say it, and it’s easy to say, but when push came to shove, nobody does it better, and they would cave. This is especially true because this is the internet, we’re (mostly) all anonymous, and so there’s no accountability for the bold declarations of “never gonna.”

        I wasn’t questioning the emotion behind those declarations, but I was doubtful about many people’s dedication to them.

        • can you point me to the store that sells whatever mind probe or conviction scanner you are using? any device that can determine what 95% of people will do is amazing. did you get it at cheaperthandirt? I gotta get my hands on this bad boy and go into politics

        • It’s not a scanner, it’s just my understanding of human nature. 95% may not be an exact figure, as the meter I use is analog, not digital, so I estimated. All I know is that the needle was WAY over to the right.

  7. The CEO’s message seems like he is struggling with it a lot, especially after their other messages the last few days, along with their Colorado program. I think every company is in a tough position to choose business over ethics.

    We should all be grateful MAGPUL has decided to forgo business.

  8. bravo, magpul! for doing the RIGHT thing. we are ALL citizens and there should not be any caste system in place here!
    while i realize that there are some LEO in ban states that support our rights, there still isn’t anything that makes these men and women any better than the rest of the law-abiding citizens that are punished by bad legislation.
    if ALL LEO are FORCED to be on our side, good or not, they WILL fight against things that affect THEM.

  11. Magpul has been selling like crazy in my state, and it’s not to police. They can’t afford to lose the average citizen as a customer because they’d go under in a matter of months. These guys need to learn who butters their bread or they’ll go broke

  12. sorry . i’m not buying it.

    he basically told us all to pound sand when we called bullshit on his initial position. now he sees the way the wind is blowing and walks it back? times of stress indicate a persons true character, value and positions.

    this guy doesn’t give a rats ass about the average citizen but will bend over and grab ankles for LEOs. not good in my book. i probably stand alone but i’m done with Magpul

    • You’re probably not alone on that one. Completely understandable too – some companies need to learn their lessons the hard way.

      I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt on this one and a Get Out Of Jail Free Card, only because of all the CO B.S. going on right now.

      There are bigger fish to bring to that frying pan as of right now when it comes to closing the police loophole. I’m looking at you Armalite / Glock / S&W / Ruger.

      • Yes, I agree it’s time for Armalite / Glock / S&W / Ruger to stand up and take a leadership position. Else, I suspect they are going to feel the wrath of the customer.

    • Cops are gonna get the stuff anyway but at least this is making the individual officers (who have to promise to uphold their oaths) pay for it out of their own pockets.

      Hopefully it gives them incentives to pressure their department and unions to un-**** themselves, although I highly doubt it.

      • Ooh, they have to promise to protect our rights. I’m sure they’ll take that promise as seriously as politicians take their oath of office.

        • Because if they didn’t take the oath seriously when they became a Sworn Officer, they will now that they have to check a box to buy mags.

    • Sol and Matt are like acid and alkalai; you’re cancelling out one another. Here’s to a peaceable chemical reaction.

      People of the Gun: we just WON one. I’ll drink to that.

  15. Much better stance, bravo Magpul. Now I can buy pmags again. When I can actually buy pmags again.

  17. I think this policy seems better than an outright ban. Sure people can lie to get their goodies, but it really boils down to all civilians (LEOs also) being able to purchase the same gear.

    Meanwhile in NY, the INjustice system is at work screwing people they select for special screwing. No criminal intent, but lets make an example out of him since he has probably has no criminal record and was a soldier. Can’t expend money on those hard to find real criminals.

    http://dailycaller.com/2013/02/21/prosecutors-to-pursue-felony-charges-against-ex-soldier-for-possessing-high-capacity-magazine/

  18. “…until we can implement a system wherein any Law Enforcement Officer buying for duty use will have to promise to uphold their oath to the US Constitution..”

    This proposed “solution” is idiotic. The kind of cop who is willing to disregard his sworn oath to the freakin’ Constitution isn’t going to think twice about breaking any “promises” made to a private corporation.

    • This was capitalism at work. Paying customers got mad, threatened to take their money elsewhere, and they adjusted their stance accordingly. Don’t go Joker on us.

  21. I like Magpul and never had a problem with their statements. Magpul is in a tough position, and they are being forced to make hard decisions for their corporate survival. Many of these decisions will result in unemployed people in an economy that has few job offerings for the manufacturing sector. Very few people are in Magpul’s position, nor understand what they are up against. No one has the right to judge them. If I had to, I would purchase their products based on quality and need. Capitalism and the free market system rule the day, not reactionary statements. Magpul needs our support, not our condemnation.

    • Unfortunately, too many people think that their own path to change is the only path, and anyone who doesn’t agree that it’s the best path to the same goal is obviously not on the same side and doesn’t want the same ultimate goal.

      The whole notion that if you don’t believe that a boycott of ban states is the *only* way to support the 2nd Amendment that you’re somehow not supporting the 2nd Amendment is just silly. We’re all on the same side, even if we all don’t agree on what the best methods are.

      • I’m glad you said that. I’ve said before that it amazes me how our side “eats its young” when they find someone whose opinion differs from theirs only slightly. I’m frankly amazed that I haven’t been called all kinds of names from libtard to bootlicker based on my posts over the last couple days. I’ve seen it happen in the past to others who took far less offensive stances than mine. Maybe they just like me.

        • Same here Matt. I dont agree with everything you say, but respect your right to your opinion, and glad you are here to share it. With facts to prove points, especially.

    • So if Bloomberg owned a company that made top quality AR accessories at the cheapest prices (like if he bought Magpul with his billions) you would still buy them? Because that’s how you think capitalism works?

  22. At it’s core, how is this any different than their original stand? They don’t want to hose good LEO’s in ban states just because their legislators are fools. Better implementation of that policy? Sure, but fundamentally it’s not really any different than their previously stated position.

    And after reading through the comments on Facebook, it seems like no matter what they do, they can’t win.

  23. Still a Magpul fan, always was a Magpul fan, and would be happy to have my whole department sign their “repect the 2nd” style document, myself included.

    In fact, I’ll write an article about signing the document if it comes my way.

  24. It was a tough decision for Magpul and they obviously struggled over it. But in the end, they did what they felt was in our country’s best interest and drew their line in the sand.

    I don’t believe, even for a second, that this policy puts any state or local police dept in jeopardy.

    I applaud their courage and so should everyone else.

  26. To Magpul: I hope you draft up a pro-2A Amendment document for law enforcement agencies in CA, NY, etc. Whereas, politicians who create laws are protected by standard capacity magazines at taxpayer expense, Magpul will not allow our product to be used to punish law abiding citizens from possessing the same items as what protects politicians and law enforcement.

  27. “With the fight in Colorado right now we do not have time to implement a new program, so I have suspended all LE sales to ban states until we can implement a system wherein any Law Enforcement Officer buying for duty use will have to promise to uphold their oath to the US Constitution – specifically the second and fourteenth amendments – as it applies to all citizens.”

    Meaning that soon enough he’ll resume selling full capacity mags to cops in the ban states, if only they check a box on the website promising to uphold the constitution. It will be interesting to see if those same officers then refuse a direct order to enforce the state laws because of the aforementioned check box.

    Also, Richard Fitzpatrick only mentions individual sales. What is his policy about direct purchases from ban state governments? I suspect he wouldn’t dream of refusing those lucrative deals.

    This does not pass the sniff test. Not even close.

    Finally, what fight is there in Colorado? The battle is lost, and now Magpul only has to decide if they’ll keep their promise to move. I suspect they won’t. They have only the support of their non-uniformed clientele to regain, and they appear very lukewarm about that so far. Luckily, there are about 100,000,000 GI mags floating around, and the factory furniture is fine on most ARs, so Magpul can carry on in their apparent desire to become a niche government supplier.

  28. Methinks they read sites like TTAG, no doubt getting more than a few
    emails and phone calls as well, and saw the writing on the wall.

  30. Didn’t he explicitly say the following just a day ago?

    “Would a check box on the LE/MIL order form affirming 2A support for all Citizens make a difference? How many out there click on “I Accept” for terms and agreements before an iOS update without reading or caring what they are? Would anyone NOT click such a box?”

    Why are we now supposed to believe that a ‘check box’ is going to accomplish anything?

  31. My only beef with thier original statement was when they said that government agencies would just get thier magazines elsewhere. Id say let them!!! Our military as a majority banned the use of pmags (I think SF commanders are allowed to use thier own disgresion) but Magpul is still in business and has over a million mags in backorder. I think they could have afforded to lose business from other government agencies. I originally found this stance confusing also, considering the problems they had in Colorado that may force them to move. I would have expected a little more bitterness regarding these AWBs and mag bans.

    I dont disagree with his feelings. I couldnt imagine working for a company and being given the cr*piest equipment to work with. Being forced to use it or buy my own. Oh wait, I already do. So when my bosses turn thier backs, I would love to have a company offer me a product at a low price.

    I didnt hate Magpul for thier choice. It annoyed me of course but I wasnt going to melt down my stuff and boycott them. I see the businesses in the boycott as mostly symbolic. If more join, great. If big names join better. But unless a company says FOAD to non-government agencies then Im not going to feek the same about them.

  32. As a friendly reminder to those that still have doubts about Magpul: Billionaire Michael Bloomberg sent a lot of money to Colorado to have legislation written to attack Magpul. This attack will more than likely force the company and its jobs to leave Colorado. Intentionally putting people out of work or forcing them to relocate is a horrible proposition. All because Bloomberg – who has more money than all of Magpul’s employees combined – cares so much for society. In addition, VP Bidon was encouraging his Progressive Minions in the State Legislature to take action. Bloomberg, Bidon, and Obama are not Colorado residents and do not represent the State’s best interests. Companies like Magpul contribute to the NRA. To not support Magpul in an effort to undermine them financially may actually be counterproductive to 2nd Amendment rights.

  33. I’m so glad they came around to their senses!!!! I can buy magpul again (as soon as I can find some dang mags on the shelves)

  34. “With the fight in Colorado right now we do not have time to implement a new program, so I have suspended all LE sales to ban states until we can implement a system wherein any Law Enforcement Officer buying for duty use will have to promise to uphold their oath to the US Constitution – specifically the second and fourteenth amendments – as it applies to all citizens.”

    So.. they are to make a promise on a promise? Sounds legit.

  36. For the last magpul story I commented to not squeeze them, give the time to work out what is right and maybe have LEO’s re-pledge loyalty to the constitution and the 2A.
    See, , I told ya.

  37. I think the supreme court is hanging LEO’s out to dry. Like the Nazi soldier “following orders” . SCOTUS should let these guys know if the breaking the law of the land or the law of NY state

  38. So let me get this straight. You’re all willing to boycott Cheaper Than Dirt (and other retailers like them) for life even though they changed their stance and/or business practices, but Magpul gets high praises for doing the same thing?

    • Exactly.

      Magpul gets blowback & does a 180.
      So do I take it that their prior statement was BS, or this one?

      Pathetic.

    • You’re reading it right. Please see my comment up near the top of this page (a reply to William) about how boycotting Armalite is easy while boycotting Magpul is hard. Replace Armalite with CTD.

      Many people didn’t like CTD to begin with due to their shipping and handling policies; giving them up isn’t hard. But people love Magpul. Boycotting them (if people actually followed through on their word) would be hard, and they’ll take the first excuse they can get to reverse their stance.

  39. So, let me get this straight:

    MagBULL was for the ban, before they were against the ban, before they were for the ban again?

    Do they also sell Ketchup?

    FOAD MagBull.

  40. always had faith in magpul from the beginning of this.

    great show of dedication towards the civilian crowd.

  41. A Historic Moment:
    And what gave birth to this tide?
    I propose that it was TTAGS Member’s Flaming of Recoil Magazine’s dismissle of 2ndA Rights just a few months back (and my exposue of the Publishing House owned by a Syncophantic Obama Worshiper that is currently being outed as a HUGE anti-Constitutionalist, Kudos to Moi!)
    We have a few rare seconds for ‘Job Well Done’ congratulations to be shared among the 1000’s of supporters and contributors here, all of which are well deserved.
    This is just the start of this battle.
    Be prepared for the internet to be completely shut-down. Before the internet there were F-T-F Social Clubs that, Protected by the US Constitution met on regular basis to discuss all manner of topics, “Chat Rooms” if you will!

  42. I would add to that oath a promise to oppose civilian disarmament laws, especially those that create a double standard between LEOs and non-LEOs.

    There’s a thread of similarity here with the gun owner who already owns all the scary black rifles he wants – Feinstein is offering to grandfather those in, let him keep them, and in exchange he’s supposed to support denying the same ownership to others who haven’t bought one yet. I’m pleased that this group, at least, seems almost universally to have seen through her ploy. It’s buying support for a bad law by creating special classes of people and bribing them with an effective exemption from it. This is wrong. It goes against our republican principles, and it’s bad law.

  43. This is great, it means more inventory will be available to those of us who still live in free states.

  45. The people who make these policies get elected by all citizens. The only way we get it changed is to make everyone who votes feel the same pain. You exempt LEO, Mil, or Gov and you render a portion of the voter base unaffected and many of them will remain apathetic.

  46. Magpul’s got more emotional conflicts than Hamlet.
    First you say you do
    And then you don’t
    And then you say you will
    And then you won’t
    You’re undecided now
    So what are you gonna do?

    Sad.

  47. Wow, nothing like “sticking to your guns”. What a bitch you are Fitzpatrick trying to jump on the bandwagon to potentially enhance your profit.

  48. The second amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees every American the right to bear arms. Has any law ever been so ambiguous? What are arms? What does it mean to bear them? At least with the first amendment we know exactly where we stand: Freedom of speech. It couldn’t be any clearer. But, the right to bear arms leaves the second amendment open to different interpretations. We need gun permits to carry a concealed weapon. Do we need knife permits? No. Yet both can, and often do, cause death. We can own a gun, or a rifle, or a sub-machine gun, or a machete, and dozens of other tools to kill, even our own bare hands. So, gun control is a debate in our country that makes no sense unless you broaden the ban or acceptance to include all instruments of death…-

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