In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
SIG Arms hunts for missing firearms
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
SIG Arms hunts for missing firearms
By SEAN GOODWIN
Union Leader Correspondent
EXETER ?Unable to account for the whereabouts of every firearm in its records, SIG Arms Inc. has sent a letter to current and former employees offering amnesty until Tuesday, Aug. 20, for the return of firearms that might have been "improperly removed?from the facilities.
According to the letter that was signed by company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Herbert Rudolf, SIG Arms conducted an audit to "properly account for every firearm logged in to the company's records. Unfortunately, our investigation has revealed that a number of firearms have been improperly removed from the company's facilities without proper documentation or the company's authorization. The improper removal of a firearm from our facilities is a serious matter and one punishable by both federal and state law.?
Under the federal Gun Control Act, according to the letter, a violator can be imprisoned up to 10 years, fined, or both.
The letter does not state how many firearms are missing.
Robert Joyce, SIG Arms's attorney, said he is not aware of the specifics, but he did say that part of the issue could be that a serial number was placed on a frame of the firearm and because of quality control that frame was destroyed. Joyce added that there also could have been a problem with the company's software.
"And understanding human nature, there is always the possibility that some of the firearms were improperly taken from the premises,?Joyce said. "SIG Arms is investigating all of those possibilities.?
In addition to the letter, there is a second page giving return instructions. The second letter states that firearms can be shipped to SIG Arms via overnight courier, such as UPS, Federal Express or DHL, or returned in person to the Exeter facility during business hours.
"If SIG Arms receives any firearm under this amnesty program, then the company's investigation will cease as to that firearm,?the letter states.
"Once SIG Arms has been forced to refer a missing firearm to the attention of state and federal authorities, the matter will be out of our hands. If you or someone you know could benefit from this amnesty program, please make sure that this `second chance?is not wasted because of embarrassment or fear. Use the amnesty program ?it will help everyone involved.?
Joyce said the company's goal and the goal of the program is to account for the serial number discrepancies.
James McNally, public information officer for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms division for New England, said he was not immediately aware of the letter and did not want to comment further on the issue until he could speak to someone in the New Hampshire field division of the bureau.
The company, which moved to Exeter a decade ago, manufactures firearms for the military, law enforcement and civilian markets. It also operates a training facility in Epping.
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html?article=13257
R
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
By SEAN GOODWIN
Union Leader Correspondent
EXETER ?Unable to account for the whereabouts of every firearm in its records, SIG Arms Inc. has sent a letter to current and former employees offering amnesty until Tuesday, Aug. 20, for the return of firearms that might have been "improperly removed?from the facilities.
According to the letter that was signed by company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Herbert Rudolf, SIG Arms conducted an audit to "properly account for every firearm logged in to the company's records. Unfortunately, our investigation has revealed that a number of firearms have been improperly removed from the company's facilities without proper documentation or the company's authorization. The improper removal of a firearm from our facilities is a serious matter and one punishable by both federal and state law.?
Under the federal Gun Control Act, according to the letter, a violator can be imprisoned up to 10 years, fined, or both.
The letter does not state how many firearms are missing.
Robert Joyce, SIG Arms's attorney, said he is not aware of the specifics, but he did say that part of the issue could be that a serial number was placed on a frame of the firearm and because of quality control that frame was destroyed. Joyce added that there also could have been a problem with the company's software.
"And understanding human nature, there is always the possibility that some of the firearms were improperly taken from the premises,?Joyce said. "SIG Arms is investigating all of those possibilities.?
In addition to the letter, there is a second page giving return instructions. The second letter states that firearms can be shipped to SIG Arms via overnight courier, such as UPS, Federal Express or DHL, or returned in person to the Exeter facility during business hours.
"If SIG Arms receives any firearm under this amnesty program, then the company's investigation will cease as to that firearm,?the letter states.
"Once SIG Arms has been forced to refer a missing firearm to the attention of state and federal authorities, the matter will be out of our hands. If you or someone you know could benefit from this amnesty program, please make sure that this `second chance?is not wasted because of embarrassment or fear. Use the amnesty program ?it will help everyone involved.?
Joyce said the company's goal and the goal of the program is to account for the serial number discrepancies.
James McNally, public information officer for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms division for New England, said he was not immediately aware of the letter and did not want to comment further on the issue until he could speak to someone in the New Hampshire field division of the bureau.
The company, which moved to Exeter a decade ago, manufactures firearms for the military, law enforcement and civilian markets. It also operates a training facility in Epping.
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html?article=13257
R
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878