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In the continuing saga of the RECOIL Magazine anti-2A flap (where a supposedly pro-gun magazine argued that a gun was “too dangerous” for civilians) it seems that H&K has finally added their two cents to the situation. The observant among you may have noticed that RECOIL editor Jerry Tsai tried to pass off the comments as something that H&K told him…
From Jerry’s apology:
In the article, I stated some information that was passed on to me about why the gun is not available for civilian purchase. By no means did I intend to imply that civilians are not responsible, nor do we lack the judgment to own such weapons, if I believed anything approaching this, clearly I would lead a much different life. I also mentioned in the article that the gun had no sporting purpose. This again, was information passed on to me and reported in the article without the necessary additional context.
In short, don’t shoot the messenger. Jerry seems to be making the case that he was just relaying some info from H&K on their thoughts about the gun.
Turns out H&K doesn’t agree that that was the way it went down and issued a statement not too long ago:
Some readers have misinterpreted a recent feature story in RECOIL magazine as a reflection of HK policy. Heckler & Koch has a long presence in the US civilian market and throughout that time has been an ardent and passionate supporter of the Second Amendment and the American civilian shooter. This will always be the case. The contents, opinions, and statements expressed in that feature story are those of the writer, not Heckler and Koch’s. Additionally, the writer and RECOIL magazine have issued a clarification and apology for the ill-chosen words used in the story.
The HK MP7A1 4.6 mm Personal Defense Weapon mentioned in the story is a selective-fire product (capable of “full automatic” fire) and is currently restricted to military and law enforcement agencies by BATF. HK-USA has previously researched introducing similar commercial products, chambered in 4.6 mm, but it was determined that the final product would not have enough appeal or be legally feasible.
— Heckler & Koch USA-[source]
But, of course, anyone who works in the gun selling business knows it is extremely difficult to get HK to respond to issues with their guns owned by civilians. Those of us who have been around the block a few times know the quickest way to get help from HK on of their products is to tell them “I have a customer who is a cop…” You aren’t lying… all gun shops have cops as customers… but you have to say it to get someone at HK to respond to you. So I wouldn’t agree with them being “an ardent and passionate supporter of the Second Amendment and the American civilian shooter.”