Doofus Of The Day #589

Today's award goes to Bank of America for its actions with respect to McMillan USA, a manufacturer of high-end rifles and components (and a supplier to the US armed forces).  The company reported via Facebook:

McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, McMillan Firearms Manufacturing, McMillan Group International have been collectively banking with Bank of America for 12 years.

Today Mr. Ray Fox, Senior Vice President, Market Manager, Business Banking, Global Commercial Banking came to my office. He scheduled the meeting as an “account analysis” meeting in order to evaluate the two lines of credit we have with them. He spent 5 minutes talking about how McMillan has changed in the last 5 years and have become more of a firearms manufacturer than a supplier of accessories.

At this point I interrupted him and asked “Can I possible save you some time so that you don’t waste your breath? What you are going to tell me is that because we are in the firearms manufacturing business you no longer want my business.”

“That is correct” he says.

I replied “That is okay, we will move our accounts as soon as possible. We can find a 2nd Amendment friendly bank that will be glad to have our business. You won’t mind if I tell the NRA, SCI and everyone one I know that BofA is not firearms industry friendly?”

“You have to do what you must” he said.

“So you are telling me this is a politically motivated decision, is that right?”

Mr Fox confirmed that it was. At which point I told him that the meeting was over and there was nothing let for him to say.

I think it is import for all Americans who believe in and support our 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms should know when a business does not support these rights. What you do with that knowledge is up to you. When I don’t agree with a business’ political position I can not in good conscience support them. We will soon no longer be accepting Bank of America credit cards as payment for our products.

Kelly D McMillan
Director of Operations
McMillan Group International, LLC
623-582-9635
www.mcmillanusa.com

Quite frankly, I think BoA has lost its corporate mind!  The Supreme Court has found unambiguously that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms.  Concealed carry of firearms has been legalized in the vast majority of US states over the past couple of decades.  We're in an economy where almost every business sector is struggling, except for the firearms industry.  (A senior Vice President of the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) joked this week that President Obama was the 'salesman of the year' for the industry.)  Furthermore, there are millions of Americans who are deeply suspicious of what they see as likely attacks on their Second Amendment rights if President Obama is re-elected for a second term, particularly in the light of the apparent media and left-wing witch-hunt over the Trayvon Martin affair, and the subsequent assault on 'stand your ground' laws.  Yet, in the midst of all this, BoA has chosen to offend a group of the more influential specialist companies in the shooting industry, whose products are at present on active service with the US Marine Corps, protecting our fighting men and women.

Very well.  If BoA wishes to behave in this fashion, that's their right.  It's my right to say that they will never again get a single cent of my business.  If I have to deal with a company that uses BoA for its customer credit services, I'll choose another supplier instead - and I'll make sure to let the first company know why they've lost my business.  I'd like to ask you, dear readers, to consider similar steps, and to transfer your bank and credit accounts from BoA to alternative suppliers if possible.

Banks like this we can do without!





Peter