STI follows in Barrett's proud footsteps

As most readers are probably aware, Barrett Rifles, in the wake of the California ban on .50 caliber rifles for private citizens, defied the myth of gun industry greed, and sacrificed the bottom line, out of reverence for the Constitution and a sense of moral obligation. By that, I mean they refused further sales to any unit of California government, because by violating the Constitution, the California government has itself become a criminal enterprise, and Ronnie Barrett will not knowingly arm criminals.

This was, as far as I know, an unprecedented display of both patriotism and moral courage, and I have ever since considered Ronnie Barrett something of a hero.

Now, he has company, as after suffering "a long train of abuses and usurpations," STI has adopted a similar policy (pdf file). Here's an excerpt:

As a company, STI adhered to California’s drop test certification and DOJ listing process in 1998 for the people in competition shooting and for those who desired self-protection DESPITE the financial strain placed on a small company such as ours. Listing our two most popular firearm models was not an inexpensive undertaking. We even redesigned our compensator systems to adhere to the CA “no threaded barrel” law. Then CA’s onerous liability laws were enacted and we chose at that time not to renew certification nor to sell to LEO and governmental agencies in CA, regardless of their exempt status, because there was no exemption from liability or legal fees which could bankrupt this company. When federal law overrode CA’s liability laws, we resumed LE sales because we felt our product could be used to LE’s advantage. With the micro stamping bill, we as a company have decided enough is enough. While our sales to Law enforcement agencies are not huge, all revenue sources are important to a company of our size and it hurts us to turn our backs on those revenues.

This, I am sure, is something of a financial hardship for STI, but certain things are more important than the bottom line. It takes moral courage to act on those priorities, and STI, like Barrett, clearly has plenty of that.

Any other gun manufacturers care to join this proud coalition?