Foreign IT company acquires major US ammunition manufacturers Remington, Federal, CCI, and more.
Americans’ Interest in Weapon Manufacturers Intensifies as Czechoslovak Group Acquires Major US Ammunition Manufacturers
Even in peaceful times, Americans take a healthy interest in the companies that manufacture their weapons and ammunition. In the present state of the world, that interest should only intensify.
On Monday, Vista Outdoor of Anoka, Minnesota, announced in a news release that it had sold its Sporting Products business to the Czechoslovak Group. Based in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, CSG operates as “a leading industrial technology holding company.”
Yahoo Finance reported that CSG’s newly acquired business includes major U.S. ammunition manufacturers Remington, Federal, CCI, Hevi-Shot and Speer.
It described CSG’s move as “the largest acquisition in the history of the Czech defense industry.”
Michal Strnad, CSG’s 30-year-old billionaire owner and CEO, expressed a determination to grow the Sporting Products business.
“We look forward to building on the company’s success in delivering innovative, quality products and are confident in the long-term value we can create together,” Strnad said in a statement in the Vista Outdoor release. He added a commitment “to expanding their legacy of U.S. manufacturing and providing resources to accelerate their growth.”
Meanwhile, Sporting Products CEO Jason Vanderbrink embraced the CSG acquisition and echoed the commitment to U.S. manufacturing.
“The company is fully committed to our iconic American brands and expanding our legacy of U.S. manufacturing, support for military and law enforcement customers, and investments in conservation and our hunting and shooting heritage,” Vanderbrink said. “We are excited to work closely with the CSG team as we enter this next phase and position our brands for long-term success.”
Thus, as one might expect, the Czech billionaire seemed most interested in making money by creating “long-term value.” No doubt Vanderbrink and other Sporting Products officials appreciated additional “resources” in the form of capital infusion.
For ordinary Americans, however, transactions of this nature produce at least some degree of anxiety.
The National Rifle Association’s Shooting Illustrated, for instance, noted that the Sporting Products business includes “some of the industry’s foremost ammunition manufacturers.”
Therefore, allowing those manufacturers to become foreign-owned might not strike the average American as the most sensible choice.
Of course, such reservations have nothing to do with Strnad personally and certainly not with the Czech Republic in particular. Having been overrun by tyrants in the mid-20th century — first the Nazis and then the Communists — the Czech people have every reason to appreciate the need for an armed citizenry.
Likewise, American manufacturers have no built-in guarantee of favorable treatment — let alone principled patriotism — from a U.S.-owned “holding company.”
Nonetheless, anxieties remain. After all, how many of their own resources do Americans still control?
Last week, for instance, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas announced that she would evict a Chinese state-owned company that held farmland in her state.
Communist China, of course, poses threats that the Czech Republic does not. But the principle remains. Ultimate control of U.S. resources must belong only to those who have Americans’ interests foremost in mind.
Furthermore, foreign ownership of U.S. ammunition manufacturing reminds us of some jarring realities.
For instance, free speech means nothing if Americans have no forum in which to speak freely. With this in mind, imagine the present state of the First Amendment had Elon Musk not purchased Twitter. To what extent do our most fundamental freedoms depend on the actions of a single billionaire?
The analogy is imperfect, of course, but the question it raises is similar. Can we allow the practical exercise of our Second Amendment rights to depend on a Czech billionaire?
American companies have no reason to shun friendly foreign investors. Companies that serve the interests of American freedom, however, must place those interests above all else.
Meanwhile, in the present state of the world, Americans will be well served to pay close attention to who controls their essential resources and industries.
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The post Foreign IT Company Gobbles Up Top US Ammunition Manufacturers – Remington, Federal, CCI and Others Sold Off appeared first on The Western Journal.
What concerns are raised about the potential implications on the domestic ammunition market due to foreign ownership of major U.S. ammunition manufacturers?
Owned by a foreign entity raises concerns about the potential implications on the domestic ammunition market, national security, and the Second Amendment rights of American citizens.
With the Czechoslovak Group’s acquisition of major U.S. ammunition manufacturers, including Remington, Federal, CCI, Hevi-Shot, and Speer, many Americans are worried about the future of their access to firearms and ammunition. These brands have long been trusted by gun owners and enthusiasts for their quality and reliability. The concern is that a foreign owner may not prioritize the interests of American consumers and may make decisions that could limit the availability or increase the cost of ammunition in the domestic market.
Furthermore, the involvement of a foreign entity in the U.S. defense industry raises questions of national security. The manufacture and distribution of firearms and ammunition are critical components of a nation’s defense capabilities. With a foreign owner in control of these major ammunition manufacturers, there is a risk that sensitive technologies or proprietary information could be compromised or fall into the wrong hands. This raises concerns about potential threats to national security and the ability of the U.S. government to control and regulate the industry effectively.
Additionally, the Second Amendment rights of American citizens are at stake. The right to bear arms is a fundamental principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and any infringement on this right is a matter of great importance to many Americans. The fear is that a foreign owner may have a different perspective on gun ownership and may implement policies or make decisions that undermine the Second Amendment rights of American citizens.
While the acquisition of major U.S. ammunition manufacturers by the Czechoslovak Group may offer opportunities for growth and investment in the U.S. sporting products industry, it is essential to carefully consider the potential consequences and risks associated with foreign ownership. The American public must stay vigilant and actively participate in discussions surrounding these acquisitions to ensure that their rights and interests are protected.
In conclusion, the recent acquisition of major U.S. ammunition manufacturers by the Czechoslovak Group has sparked increased interest and concern among Americans. The potential implications on the domestic ammunition market, national security, and Second Amendment rights necessitate a closer examination of the consequences of foreign ownership in the U.S. defense industry. It is crucial for Americans to stay informed and engaged in discussions surrounding these acquisitions to safeguard their interests and rights in a rapidly changing world.
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