Soapbox Archive – 2018

It troubles me to share with you my very strong belief that the relatively brief respite from the threat of additional “gun control” legislation we’ve all enjoyed will soon come to a very abrupt end – probably early in the new year when the new congress begins its work.

Notwithstanding that the Republicans still control the Senate and the Presidency, the flip of the House of Representatives to Democratic control will be very problematic indeed. It doesn’t take much prescience to imagine what some of the first anti-gun initiatives are likely to be: those that have been discussed (and, in some cases/jurisdictions already enacted): magazine capacity restrictions, “assault weapons” bans and universal background checks.

It’s the House where most legislation begins and, with the ability to set the legislative agenda that their majority position entitles them, Ms. Pelosi and her crew are assuredly smacking their lips over what they doubtless see as such an easy target and certain success.  While there are certainly some pro-gun Ds, I think they are, in most instances, offset by anti-gun Rs, and so the bills will likely pass and then be forwarded to the Senate.  Can the Senate simply ignore these bills?  I don’t think so.  Do the necessary number of members (50) have the political will to fend-off these efforts? Again, I don’t think so.  And if this legislation is presented to the President for his signature, does he have the will to veto the bill(s)?  Again, I don’t think so. The outcry against any effort to oppose these “common-sense” measures “to do something” would be deafening, I believe.

The good news, if there is any, is that such threatening activity will probably give a sharp boost to the firearms industry that has been in the doldrums for the past two years. I wish this forecasted recovery didn’t come at such a high price.

I hope time proves me wrong but, again, I don’t think so.

Please enjoy the attached video highlighting several operations in the manufacture of mini-revolvers.

Hey everyone!!  Lucky me, I was chosen to do this month’s Soapbox. As many of you know, I have been with the company for a long time and am currently the Sales Manager.  I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about my time with the company.

As of this month, I have officially been with the company for 10 years!! When I found out about the job opening, I had no idea that I was applying for a position at a gun manufacturer… Hell I didn’t even know what they did! I started out as the receptionist and had no idea how much I would love this place! After a year of being the receptionist, I was promoted into the repair department, handling everything that was sent in for custom work and repairs, gradually becoming the Customer Service Manager.  I thoroughly enjoyed running our customer service, we have some amazing customers!! 9 years later, I was offered the Sales Manager position.

I never thought I would be here for 10 years! But this company has become my family. During the last 10 years, I’ve had some ups and downs both personally and professionally. I had a baby, who is now 5 years old and I had the luxury of being able to bring him to work with me for the first 6 months!  I’ve been through some tough relationships and am now happily married to the man of my dreams. Sandy and everyone at NAA has been more than supportive through all my trials and errors. NAA has been the career of a lifetime. I’ve gotten to travel all over the country, which has allowed me to meet so many customers and NAA fans. I’ve built some amazing relationships with customers, relationships that I will cherish for a lifetime.

I believe in our product and I believe in the company. I have always strived to do the best that I can and to be what I would want/expect from any other company, and I hope I’ve done so and beyond.

Well… That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Thank you all for taking the time to read my Soapbox and thank you all for the love and support of NAA! Without all of you, we wouldn’t be here.

Your Sales & Customer Service Manager,

Jessica Jarvis

I read with keen interest and some amusement two different threads on our Message Board which were created last month relating to the above captioned subjects.

As some of you may know, I read virtually all the posts in the NAA Products section every day.  I feel I need to hear what you’re thinking and saying and to react to it when/where appropriate.  The NAA community input is of great importance to me and helps inform many of my decisions.

Anyway, I am interested in the subject of niche markets; NAA’s existence is based on addressing and serving a niche market, one which we value and do everything in our power to satisfactorily serve.  If you want a gun like a Rugar LCR, Kel-Tec P-38T, SCCY, etc. etc. or a similarly compact 9mm, there are a bazillion choices, many/most of which compete largely on $.  Other than doing a modest business in small caliber semi-auto pistols, which we started because Seecamp was so negligent in serving their market, We Are Mini-Revolvers(BTW, some people continue to prefer an all-steel pistol, weight notwithstanding).

Since the departure of Freedom Arms from the mini-revolver market almost 20 years ago, it’s been ours alone, although some ill-advised attempts have been made to take a piece of our pie.  [For the record, FA was formed afterNorth American Arms.  Dick Casull (RIP) started FA with Wayne Baker after he left NAA.  FA continues to manufacture extraordinary single action revolvers, the foundation of which was based on the eponymous 454 Casull cartridge.]

It’s been our practice to do everything possible to deserve our privileged position by making quality products, supported by 2^nd-to-none customer service.  We are appreciative of the (generally) good reputation we enjoy and are committed to do everything in our power to secure and enhance it.

On this Independence Day, I’m proud to be an American, running a “Made in America” country.

– Sandy Chisholm

See y’all next month!

Hello, to all of the Sandy Soapbox Readers. My name is Amelia Pullman and Sandy has invited me to take over the Soapbox for this month. I know we will all miss his update for this month, but he will be back next month, I can assure you of that. If you find yourself missing him too much, you can come to Dallas and see him (and the rest of our team) at the NRA Annual Exhibitor show from May 4^th-May 6^th. We would love to see you all there, and I can speak for Sandy on this, he would love to see you as well.

As for myself, some of you may know me, as for others this may be an introduction of sorts. I am the Marketing Manager here at North American Arms, and my staff includes myself. I am a marketing team of one, so I’ll put this out here now, if you have any news, ideas, comments, questions, concerns, etc. I would be happy to personally take care of them or listen to what you have to say. You can email me directly at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

I have worked for Sandy at NAA since April of 2017, making this my one-year mark. Most of you have been around for much longer than that, I know. I have loved working for this company and hope to stay here for many years. I was born and raised in Utah, and although I have lived in several other places, I always seem to come back to beautiful Utah. I graduated from Utah Valley University in Communication and am currently working on a graduate program. The most common question I am asked from all of you is which of our firearms is my favorite and I would have to say The Sherriff. I actually own my own Sherriff. I love the classic old-timey look of this gun and I have the engraved boot grips to match.

A final fun fact about myself, I won’t be Amelia Pullman for much longer. I’ll be Amelia Thorn in just one month. I am getting married this coming June and I couldn’t be happier. I am registered on Amazon.com if anyone wants to speak now or forever hold their peace. I’m kidding, I’m kidding.

Once again, if you have any comments, ideas, things you want to see, or thoughts for me, I would love to hear them. Maybe if you would like to see a NAA gun giveaway, or more companies spotlights, etc. I appreciate this community that you have all built here at North American Arms. I think it’s something that most companies today are missing, and don’t have the opportunity of having. You all add to the legacy that is North American Arms. I hope to see you all this week in Dallas. Please stop by our booth # and say hello. I would love to meet you or see you again for anyone that I had the pleasure of meeting at NRA last year.

Until then,

Amelia

It appears to me that the cosmetics and reliability of our currently produced Rangers is improving to where it is now virtually on a par with that of our other guns.  My impressions are based on several different inputs: primarily reports from the factory, both qualitative as well as quantitative, but also to include reactions from our end customers, which I receive directly as well as anecdotally from our user community (Message Board).  There is a whole slew of reasons for this improvement: engineering and assembly tweaks, better vendor performance as well as a better understanding of this gun and its idiosyncrasies by the factory technicians – these all contribute to a better product.

I’m also pleased to report that we’ve made improvements to our Hoglegs, Earls, Sidewinders, Pugs, etc. etc.  In fact, it’s our goal to make every gun we manufacture better than the ones we manufactured the day before.  Sometimes those “improvements” are more substantial than others (e.g. MM and BW cylinder pins), but most are incremental and almost indiscernible.  Notwithstanding, our goal always remains the same – do better and make a better product.   That’s our mission.

As always, I promise a personal response to a personal inquiry to either [email protected] or 215-385-2315.

I hesitate to enter the debate about gun violence control measures, such as which ones should be adopted, etc.  I think I have an informed perspective, but it’s simply my personal opinion.  I could talk at length about a range of issues, but to the extent that anybody cares to hear anything I believe, I offer just a couple of my thoughts.

What has to/will pass?

FixNics legislation, which is named after the National Shooting Sports Program of the same name http://fixnics.org/#&panel1-4.  The program was begun years ago by the industry in support of efforts by DoJ, FBI, ATF, etc. for the betterment of a critical service (background checks).  The only reason that the legislation hasn’t passed unanimously is because it’s been attached (in the House) to companion legislation supporting national reciprocity of concealed carry licenses.  Left on its own merits, it’s a no-brainer.

What shouldn’t/won’t pass?

Raising the age limit to purchase a firearm to 21.  The age limit to purchase a handgun is 21.  If 18-21 year olds cannot purchase a firearm of ANY type, they have been arbitrarily stripped of their constitutional rights.  That there are politicians who are willing to discuss this possibility, let alone vote in favor of it, should make you VERY afraid.

On another note, sometimes I agree with Rex Tillerson, who reportedly called Trump a moron.  “Take the guns first, go through due process second”.  Really???  That’s as ignorant as it is moronic, and just another reason to be afraid.  I fear this presidency is not likely to end well.  Sigh …

~ Sandy Chisholm