This from the AHSA:
USAToday reported that Dan Cooper, founder and owner of Cooper Firearms, lost his job. The reason: He’s voting for Obama:
Montana gunsmith Dan Cooper has been ousted as chief executive of the rifle company that bears his name after pressure from gun owners who are angry that he is supporting Democrat Barack Obama.
Today, on behalf of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), I condemned the actions by the NRA and its cronies forcing Dan Cooper out.
The gun lobby’s attempt to destroy a good man and small business owner, a loyal member of the gun fraternity, again reveals the desperate Joe McCarthy-like politics of fear that the NRA leadership and others put first. They are trying to scare America’s hunters and shooters into voting against Barack Obama — but we have one thing to say: vote hope and not fear.
I have been campaigning in battleground states, including Ohio, Minnesota, Florida and Colorado for Barack Obama this fall. I know first-hand that gun owners are voting for Obama. They know their gun rights are secure. And they want a president who won’t take their guns AND will focus on the economy and their jobs. It’s beyond appalling that hard-core gun activists would destroy the economic livelihood of a guy like Dan Cooper. John McCain should be ashamed that his supporters have harmed a small business owner for political reasons. That should never happen in the America.
Last year we witnessed what happened to prominent outdoor writer and commentator Jim Zumbo when he dared take a position contrary to NRA policy. Now they are trying to do the same to Dan Cooper.
This is wrong, and rank and file gun owners who have no political ax to grind need to stand up, reject such underhanded tactics and have their voices heard. That’s why AHSA was formed, to end this partisan bullying and to restore pride to the shooting sports. This action against Cooper reinforces my commitment to making change happen by electing Obama – and by building an organization for hunters and shooters who are tired of extremism.
I believe that while it is a legit point to not like Obama’s socialism. Firing someone from their own company for supporting a politician, is crazy. Especially when they founded the company.
This election cannot end quick enough, for me anyhow.