Oct 31, 2008

Dan the Gunmaker

Dan Cooper, founder and (former) CEO of Montana-based Cooper Firearms, a maker of fine rifles, has been forced to resign his post for his announced support of Barack Obama, USA Today reports.

Cooper, a lifelong Republican, said he felt the GOP had ventured too far right in recent years and supports the Democratic candidate's position on the war. In response, incensed gun owners and conservative bloggers formed an online firing squad and blasted the 38-person company with boycott threats.

The company responded:
"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."
Cooper acquiesced and left the company. However, he indicated that, once the smoke clears, he might take legal action, telling the paper, "stronger measures may be forthcoming."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Cooper, a lifelong Republican, said he felt the GOP had ventured too far right in recent years"

I wonder what GOP he is talking about. The one that oversaw the biggest expansion of the federal government when it had all three branches of government? The biggest expansion of the deficit? Of Medicare? The one that tried, more than once, to ram through amnesty for tens of millions of illegal aliens? The few "right wing" principles they didnt stray from, hasnt changed one bit either way.

Anonymous said...

Go get them Dan!!

Todd said...

Yes, the Republican establishment clearly hasn't been *Republican* enough. It needs a cleansing fire to purge the ranks of such as the Coopers. Along with the Buckleys, Noonans, Powells, Welds, Frieds, Carlsons, McClellans, Holtons, Riordans, Eisenhower descendants and all the others who just haven't been Republican Enough!