Following the mass shooting that took place at a high school in Parkland, Florida on February 14 in which 17 people were killed, the firearms-related business in the United States has become an eyesore for much of corporate America who have severed links with them. However, the void is being attempted to be fulfilled by pro-gun entrepreneurs as they are now creating their own start-ups.
Online businesses to cater to gun-lovers are being created by those who are engaged in making their living in the firearms even as they felt that they were unwelcome on sites such as YouTube and PayPal. These have been some of the outcomes at the National Rifle Association annual meeting in Dallas conducted this week where such entrepreneurs are promoting their self-reliance.
For example, Larry Lopata and three of his friends initiated their own crowdfunding project for a new business idea that they had developed relating to a new firearms product that would have an adjustable-length trigger. The business partners had invested about $150,000 into development till last December.
But when they attempted to go for crowdsourcing in sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, they were prevented from doing so by the new rules against raising money for weapons projects. Therefore, Lopata created his own, gun-friendly crowdfunding site which has been christened as GunDynamics.com. And the website has managed to raise $6,720 sien ce being launched on April 19. The aim of the project is to source $50,000 to financing an initial production run of 5,000 triggers.
There were no comments made by Kickstarter and Indiegogo except redirecting the comment seekers to their published policies that prevent crowd-funding projects related to weapons.
There were a number of major U.S. companies that distanced themselves from the firearms industry following the Parkland massacre. Despite that fact that Americans acquire the right to carry fire arms from the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which also prevents any infringement by the government, private entities are not prevented from turning their back to the firearms industry and that has been the case with many corporate.
No more debts and funding would be provided by the Bank of America Corp to firms that manufacture military-style firearms for civilians, the bank has announced.
Assault-style rifles have been stopped being sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods while the minimum age for purchasing of firearms has been raised from 18 to 21 years by companies like WalMart Inc, L.L. Bean and Kroger Co’s Fred Meyer.
And companies like MetLife Inc, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and some rental car brands have stopped all marketing deals that seek to offer incentives for NRA members.
His own “YouTube” for guns – christened Full30.com, was created by Tim Harmsen, star of the Military Arms Channel on YouTube and a member of the NRA because he had visualized the backlash coming.
Those content providers who have been thrown out of YouTube have been picked up by Full30. YouTube prevents the sale of firearms or any form of instructions and directions that can help people to make guns or any of firearm accessories like high-capacity magazines or silencers.
There are a large number of viewers for many gun channels such as Military Arms.
Harmsen said he had to build an alternate site, which he called a “lifeboat.” because he could no longer make money from YouTube.
“We knew that if they kicked us off that platform we would have no place to go. Our families would starve,” Harmsen said.
A big company has been pushed by him to create a startup, said Stephen Bozich, another firearms entrepreneur.
“A lot of the actions by other companies against those who are even marginally attached to the gun industry have created some obstacles and barriers to us,” Bozich said. “But as a former soldier, I live by the creed of adapt and overcome.”
(Source:www.reuters.com)
Online businesses to cater to gun-lovers are being created by those who are engaged in making their living in the firearms even as they felt that they were unwelcome on sites such as YouTube and PayPal. These have been some of the outcomes at the National Rifle Association annual meeting in Dallas conducted this week where such entrepreneurs are promoting their self-reliance.
For example, Larry Lopata and three of his friends initiated their own crowdfunding project for a new business idea that they had developed relating to a new firearms product that would have an adjustable-length trigger. The business partners had invested about $150,000 into development till last December.
But when they attempted to go for crowdsourcing in sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, they were prevented from doing so by the new rules against raising money for weapons projects. Therefore, Lopata created his own, gun-friendly crowdfunding site which has been christened as GunDynamics.com. And the website has managed to raise $6,720 sien ce being launched on April 19. The aim of the project is to source $50,000 to financing an initial production run of 5,000 triggers.
There were no comments made by Kickstarter and Indiegogo except redirecting the comment seekers to their published policies that prevent crowd-funding projects related to weapons.
There were a number of major U.S. companies that distanced themselves from the firearms industry following the Parkland massacre. Despite that fact that Americans acquire the right to carry fire arms from the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which also prevents any infringement by the government, private entities are not prevented from turning their back to the firearms industry and that has been the case with many corporate.
No more debts and funding would be provided by the Bank of America Corp to firms that manufacture military-style firearms for civilians, the bank has announced.
Assault-style rifles have been stopped being sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods while the minimum age for purchasing of firearms has been raised from 18 to 21 years by companies like WalMart Inc, L.L. Bean and Kroger Co’s Fred Meyer.
And companies like MetLife Inc, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and some rental car brands have stopped all marketing deals that seek to offer incentives for NRA members.
His own “YouTube” for guns – christened Full30.com, was created by Tim Harmsen, star of the Military Arms Channel on YouTube and a member of the NRA because he had visualized the backlash coming.
Those content providers who have been thrown out of YouTube have been picked up by Full30. YouTube prevents the sale of firearms or any form of instructions and directions that can help people to make guns or any of firearm accessories like high-capacity magazines or silencers.
There are a large number of viewers for many gun channels such as Military Arms.
Harmsen said he had to build an alternate site, which he called a “lifeboat.” because he could no longer make money from YouTube.
“We knew that if they kicked us off that platform we would have no place to go. Our families would starve,” Harmsen said.
A big company has been pushed by him to create a startup, said Stephen Bozich, another firearms entrepreneur.
“A lot of the actions by other companies against those who are even marginally attached to the gun industry have created some obstacles and barriers to us,” Bozich said. “But as a former soldier, I live by the creed of adapt and overcome.”
(Source:www.reuters.com)
