Mr. Cooper, say it isn't so.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Borrowed from the same site as my reply email

A search of OpenSecrets donor records for "Cooper" in Montana uncovered this:

Code: Select all

COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$-200	Obama, Barack (D)

Now, this could be money spent to fight against Hill-Dog... given the date I suppose it's possible. However, there seems to be no record on OpenSecrets about him donating any money to McCain.

And from the guy who took the .45ACP to the elbow

The below disproves the statement on Cooper's website about supporting Obama over Hill-Dog.

"That's on top of the $1,000 check he wrote to Obama's U.S. Senate campaign in 2004, after he was dazzled by Obama's speech at that year's Democratic National Convention."

These guys researched it well...if he doesn't come up with a formal lawsuit against the newspaper for libel..then he is lying, total backpedal,

[chewy555]

My letter to Mr. Cooper going out today by snailmail for maximum impact:

Byron Dickens
[address]

Dan Cooper,
Cooper Firearms of Montana
P.O. Box 114,
Stevensville, MT 59870

Mr. Cooper:
I am sorely disappointed to discover that you, as a firearms manufacturer and NRA member, would support Barack Obama for President. That is a slap in the face to your fellow NRA members.

A gun owner voting for Obama is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders. Obama supports every onerous and punitive gun control measure ever proposed. He opposes concealed carry laws and thinks that the draconian bans of Washington DC and Chicago should be the model for the rest of the country. He has supported bans on commonly available sporting ammunition and bans on commonly available sporting arms. In Obama's perfect world, only a select few (meaning the wealthy and politically connected) would ever be allowed access to firearms for any purpose at all, whether hunting, self-defense or target shooting.

You, sir, are what Lenin termed a “useful idiot.” You have been taken with your disenchantment with current US policy and Obama's empty promises and portrayal as the Second Coming and failed to see that his is the pathway to socialism, the destruction of the Second Amendment and the destruction of the Constitution in general. His writings, his associations, and his voting record make that clear. Your support of Obama would eventually lead to your own destruction.

When I am shopping for my next rifle, I will most assuredly not buy one of yours. And I will urge everyone I know not to buy one either. Smith & Wesson and Ruger were both hurt by their actions in the past to throw gun owners under the bus. They are both large companies. I doubt yours will survive. May your competition prosper.

Respectfully,


Byron Dickens.

I think that says it all. Your line about voting just became my new fav. quote.

[The Annoyed Man]

Here is a more complete list from OpenSecrets:

Code: Select all

COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,NY 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	1/17/07	$2,100	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,OH 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	2/6/08	$1,000	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,OH 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	2/6/08	$900	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$-200	Obama, Barack (D)

Again, there is nothing there for any Republican or Libertarian, or for that matter, for any other candidate besides Obama, including the largest one almost 2 years ago.

Edited to add the following:

I did some more searching on OpenSecrets.org, and then I sent the following email to info@cooperarms.com:

I saw the disclaimer you posted on your front page yesterday, denying the claim made in the USA Today article about Dan Cooper's political donations. Being a bit of a skeptic - both about USA Today, and about your disclaimer - I went to OpenSecrets.org and searched on "Cooper, Dan" to see what donations he has made in the 2008 election cycle. Here are the results (which you can verify here: http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/donor ... per,%20Dan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)...

Code: Select all

COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,NY 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	1/17/07	$2,100	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,OH 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	2/6/08	$1,000	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,OH 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	2/6/08	$900	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$-200	Obama, Barack (D)

That's it. No Republicans. In fact, no other candidates except Barack Obama.

So I refined my search to include other contributions of his to all candidates in all election cycles, and here's what I got:

Code: Select all

COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DAN
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/PRESIDENT / CEO	4/15/08	$-200	Obama, Barack (D)
COOPER, DANIEL
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/OWNER	3/16/06	$2,100	Morrison, John (D)
COOPER, DANIEL
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	COOPER ARMS/OWNER	3/16/06	$2,100	Morrison, John (D)
COOPER, DANIEL
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	 	6/30/06	$-2,100	Morrison, John (D)
COOPER, DANIEL LYDDELL
STEVENSVILLE,MT 59870	CFI-MONTANA	8/16/04	$1,000	Obama, Barack (D)

According to OpenSecrets.org, Mr. Cooper has never given any money to anybody who wasn't a Democrat - and there is no arguing the damage done by Democrats to our 2nd Amendment rights. Who are you guys trying to kid, anyway? You guys make beautiful rifles, but their beauty is irrelevant as I may someday be unable to buy one in part because of your CEO's political contributions.

[j_dock2]

http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/ ... ms_exe.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cooper Arms exec backs Obama, perhaps with illegal contribution
Posted by David Hardy · 29 October 2008 10:27 AM

USA Today ran a story noting that Dan Cooper, owner and CEO of Cooper Arms, is backing and contributing to Obama. It said he's given $3,300, "on top of the $1,000 check he wrote to Obama's U.S. Senate campaign in 2004, after he was dazzled by Obama's speech at that year's Democratic National Convention."

Snowflakes in Hell notes that he's caught flak, and is now claiming that he donated nine months ago, with the purpose of defeating Hillary, and that's he's now given to McCain. Snowflakes eats up that alibi: there's no record of a McCain donation. There's another hole in the story. He actually donated to Obama in August 2004, months before Obama's keynote speech. Go here and look at item B. [Correction: see comments. It appears it was after the convention]

Egad; looks as if he might be involved in the reports of Obama illicit donations. Go here to see contributions by Dan or Daniel Cooper. $3,493 to Obama from a Dan Cooper in Montana, president/CEO of Cooper Arms. Plus $3,100 to Obama from a Daniel Cooper in Ohio, also president/CEO of Cooper Firearms of Montana. Got to be the same guy. And why use different names, States, and company names, except to conceal the fact that the cumulative donations are illegal? (The limit is $2,300 for the primary and the same for the general, meaning that each donation was illegal).

[The Annoyed Man]

I received the following reply from CooperArms to my email to them which is posted above:

In response to the recent article highlighting Dan Cooper’s personal political donations, the board of directors, shareholders and employees of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc would like to issue the following statement.

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 of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc.

Daily operations will continue with the competent staff currently in place in Stevensville, MT producing the finest, most accurate rifles money can buy.

Dan Cooper has spent all of his working life producing the highest quality rifles built here in the USA. He started with nothing but the American Dream and built that into firearms company anyone would be proud of. We firmly believe Dan stands by the 2nd amendment.
We wish him all of the best in his future pursuits.

Wow, the fallout has gotten heavy!

[longhorn_92]

I received the following reply from CooperArms to my email to them which is posted above:

In response to the recent article highlighting Dan Cooper’s personal political donations, the board of directors, shareholders and employees of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc would like to issue the following statement.

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 of Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc.

Daily operations will continue with the competent staff currently in place in Stevensville, MT producing the finest, most accurate rifles money can buy.

Dan Cooper has spent all of his working life producing the highest quality rifles built here in the USA. He started with nothing but the American Dream and built that into firearms company anyone would be proud of. We firmly believe Dan stands by the 2nd amendment.
We wish him all of the best in his future pursuits.

Wow, the fallout has gotten heavy!

Wow is right!

[Rokyudai]

One reaps what one sows.

I think on another site, someone said something to the effect 'feed the lion, so he eats you last' is a spot on statement.

[nitrogen]

Wow. Someone lost their job for supporting a political candidate.

What the the hell is wrong with my country?

EDIT: Yeah, a cruddy political candidate, but the precedent scares the pants off of me.

[anygunanywhere]

Wow. Someone lost their job for supporting a political candidate.

What the the heck is wrong with my country?

EDIT: Yeah, a cruddy political candidate, but the precedent scares the pants off of me.

Why?

In a free market your actions have consequences. Your constitutional freedom of speech is not without consequences. Words and actions have consequences. Look at the Dixie Chicks and tell me how words and actions do not have consequences. Mr. Cooper is no different.

Anygunanywhere

[TxD]

This is now posted on the company website.
It is the same as the e-mail posted above.
http://www.cooperfirearms.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DoubleJ]

Why?

In a free market your actions have consequences. Your constitutional freedom of speech is not without consequences. Words and actions have consequences. Look at the Dixie Chicks and tell me how words and actions do not have consequences. Mr. Cooper is no different.

Anygunanywhere

as usual, you're right. I understand where Nitro is coming from, but the truth is, ESPECIALLY in the 2A arena, there are consequences and repercussions.

just ask Jim Zumbo...

[bdickens]

Funny how when someone shoots his or her mouth off and angers a whole lot of people who then take action that has negative consequences for the mouth-shooter, that person's supporters start whining about the First Amendment and use words like "chilling" to describe those actions.

Mr. Cooper certainly has the right to be a useful idiot if he so chooses and throw his support behind the causes of socialism and victim disarmament. I have the right if I so choose to not help support those causes by patronizing his competitors instead. I also have the right to write a letter telling the man why he won't be getting any of my money.

Mr. Cooper didn't loose his job for supporting a particular political candidate. Mr. Cooper lost his job for angering his company's customer base so much as to seriously damage their business. If I insulted all of my bosses customers and damaged his business, I would probably lose my job too.

And quite frankly, I don't believe the company's statement about asking Mr. Cooper to step down. The company already lied once before in their earlier statement about him giving more money to McCain. They are probably lying again.

[Keith B]

Funny how when someone shoots his or her mouth off and angers a whole lot of people who then take action that has negative consequences for the mouth-shooter, that person's supporters start whining about the First Amendment and use words like "chilling" to describe those actions.

Mr. Cooper certainly has the right to be a useful idiot if he so chooses and throw his support behind the causes of socialism and victim disarmament. I have the right if I so choose to not help support those causes by patronizing his competitors instead. I also have the right to write a letter telling the man why he won't be getting any of my money.

Mr. Cooper didn't loose his job for supporting a particular political candidate. Mr. Cooper lost his job for angering his company's customer base so much as to seriously damage their business. If I insulted all of my bosses customers and damaged his business, I would probably lose my job too.

And quite frankly, I don't believe the company's statement about asking Mr. Cooper to step down. The company already lied once before in their earlier statement about him giving more money to McCain. They are probably lying again.

I agree for the most part, but the company may have been mislead about his campaign givings as much as anyone else. When you have a person as your figurehead of the company, you tend to believe their side of the story until you have proof otherwise. Whether they had true reason to investigate earlier is at question. However, damage control is all they can do at this point. This isn't the first CEO/President of a company that has lied, cheated and covered up things without the company being one of the last to realize it (Enron, World Com, etc.) and it certainly won't be the last.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Funny how when someone shoots his or her mouth off and angers a whole lot of people who then take action that has negative consequences for the mouth-shooter, that person's supporters start whining about the First Amendment and use words like "chilling" to describe those actions.

Mr. Cooper certainly has the right to be a useful idiot if he so chooses and throw his support behind the causes of socialism and victim disarmament. I have the right if I so choose to not help support those causes by patronizing his competitors instead. I also have the right to write a letter telling the man why he won't be getting any of my money.

Mr. Cooper didn't loose his job for supporting a particular political candidate. Mr. Cooper lost his job for angering his company's customer base so much as to seriously damage their business. If I insulted all of my bosses customers and damaged his business, I would probably lose my job too.

And quite frankly, I don't believe the company's statement about asking Mr. Cooper to step down. The company already lied once before in their earlier statement about him giving more money to McCain. They are probably lying again.

I agree for the most part, but the company may have been mislead about his campaign givings as much as anyone else. When you have a person as your figurehead of the company, you tend to believe their side of the story until you have proof otherwise. Whether they had true reason to investigate earlier is at question. However, damage control is all they can do at this point. This isn't the first CEO/President of a company that has lied, cheated and covered up things without the company being one of the last to realize it (Enron, World Com, etc.) and it certainly won't be the last.

However the end result would have been MUCH MUCH different if the people knew what was going on with those corrupt officials wouldn't it..I bet if they had 2 days warning the outcome for many would have been VERY different

[The Annoyed Man]

And quite frankly, I don't believe the company's statement about asking Mr. Cooper to step down. The company already lied once before in their earlier statement about him giving more money to McCain. They are probably lying again.

And for sure, even if he did step down, they didn't ask him to. He was told, the same as you or I would be.