Dan Cooper co-founded Cooper Firearms of Montana.
The Stevensville company posted a statement early Friday on its Web site saying employees, shareholders and the board of directors do not share the political views of Cooper - who was quoted in recent news stories as an Obama supporter. Cooper has also donated money to the campaign.
In its statement, the company said Cooper was asked to resign by the board of directors after it appeared the uproar over Cooper's support for Obama could affect employees and shareholders.
“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,” the company said.
The statement, which was later removed from the front page of the Web site, praised Cooper as someone who “has spent all of his working life producing the highest quality rifles built here in the USA.”
“We firmly believe Dan stands by the (Second) Amendment,” the statement said.
Cooper could not be reached Friday for comment. He told USA Today on Thursday that he had resigned to protect employees at the company.
“When the Internet anger turned on these innocent people, I felt it was important to distance myself from the company so as not to cause any further harm,” he said in a statement to the newspaper.
The situation prompted Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer to briefly interrupt an elk hunting trip to call Cooper on Thursday and offer his assistance. Schweitzer, a Democrat, also supports Obama.
“I said, ‘Look, I will support Cooper Firearms in their sales promotions. I will go to vendors. I will go state to state. I will help you sell the firearms, if you think the governor of Montana can help you close some deals,' ” Schweitzer said.
The governor said Friday he will do what he can to help the company and its 40 employees overcome any lingering backlash.
“For the couple of weeks that lead up to an election, it's almost like Halloween, a lot of the goblins are out,” Schweitzer said. “Things will cool down, they always will.”
Gun forums, such as AR15.com, were full of angry posts speculating Cooper would continue to hold a financial stake in the company. “Keep the pressure on!,” one person wrote in a posting.
A receptionist at Cooper Firearms refused to answer questions about the decision, and said there was no one available who could. She also said she would not release contact information for the board of directors.
Land Tawney, a member of a group called Sportsmen for Obama, blamed anti-Obama rhetoric by some groups for forcing the company to seek Cooper's resignation.
“I'm disappointed that is the tactic they are using,” Tawney said. “The fear mongering is still working.”
The National Rifle Association said the controversy shows gun owners have a problem with Obama.
“I think the decision to terminate is an indicator of the level of distrust that gun owners have with Barack Obama,” said NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.
The controversy prompted at least one company to review its association with Cooper Firearms.
The Hunting Shack, also of Stevensville, said it was going to review its relationship with Cooper Firearms as an exporter for the gun maker.
“The Hunting Shack and HS Munitions Inc. are proud supporters of Republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin for president and vice president and of the (Second) Amendment,” the company said in a statement on its Web site. “Although we must respect the political views of others, we want to ensure that our customers know our stance on their rights to enjoy the shooting sports, whether for hunting, target shooting, self-defense or ‘just because.' ”
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Vrede wrote on Nov 1, 2008 6:53 AM:
" While I'm not anti-gun, I think the decision of gun groups to throw their lot in almost exclusively with the GOP is about to look incredibly foolish. Why should the coming Dem. congressional majority and presidency listen to a word they say? "
Jeff Melling wrote on Nov 1, 2008 7:03 AM:
" Little men with little pee-pees do not like it when someone chooses to think for themselves. Obama just got my vote; and so did Dan Cooper. I pledge to fight against the NRA now; before I just saw them as one-trick ponies with lots of harmless zombies following in lock-step. "
Eunice Misbe wrote on Nov 1, 2008 7:25 AM:
" Schweitzer better be stumping for Cooper on his own time!!! We are not paying him to repair Cooper's political backlash!!! We better not be, anyway. "
D.Ness wrote on Nov 1, 2008 2:59 PM:
" You're paying Schweitzer to govern and protect the rights of ALL the citizens of Montana--however best that may be done. He can and should protect Cooper from the madness of small-minded idiots who think that any president would want to take away the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Grow up Montana! I did and moved to another state--thankfully. "
Charlie wrote on Nov 1, 2008 7:24 PM:
" Cooper has a right to support, and vote for, any candidate he chooses. He also has the right to keep his political views to himself...or make them public. Cooper decided to share his with a news agency.
When the internet excitement started, he put an 'explanation' on the homepage of his website. In it he said he donated to the Obama campaign to help knock Hillary out of the race. He went on to say that after the primaries, he then gave an even larger donation to the McCain campaign.
A quick check of the Federal Election Commission's web site shows Cooper donated to the campaigns of Barak Obama and John Morrison (here in Montana). No donation to McCain appears.
Having publicly backed the 'wrong guy' in the eyes of gun-owners...and then lied about it in his 'explanation'...he lost the confidence and respect of those who otherwise have admired his company's products.
He made his bed, and it's his to 'lie' in. It's unfortunate that his bed is shared with a group of directors and employees...who don't care to 'lie' there with him. "
When the internet excitement started, he put an 'explanation' on the homepage of his website. In it he said he donated to the Obama campaign to help knock Hillary out of the race. He went on to say that after the primaries, he then gave an even larger donation to the McCain campaign.
A quick check of the Federal Election Commission's web site shows Cooper donated to the campaigns of Barak Obama and John Morrison (here in Montana). No donation to McCain appears.
Having publicly backed the 'wrong guy' in the eyes of gun-owners...and then lied about it in his 'explanation'...he lost the confidence and respect of those who otherwise have admired his company's products.
He made his bed, and it's his to 'lie' in. It's unfortunate that his bed is shared with a group of directors and employees...who don't care to 'lie' there with him. "
walterwater wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:47 PM:
" Another good reason to just keep you mouth shut and not vote for either one of those phoneys for president.
The guy lost is job over some phoney, who like any politician ain't gonna a do a darn thing he says. Some people never learn.
The masses are mindless. "
The guy lost is job over some phoney, who like any politician ain't gonna a do a darn thing he says. Some people never learn.
The masses are mindless. "
Bluedot wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:56 PM:
" Too bad that Cooper Firearms should have to go down but they chose to side with a socialist-anti 2nd amendment candidate. Smith & Wesson had to SELL to another entity to survive. Jim Zumbo had to make reparations! I will never be in a position to buy a Coooper but I will for sure buy a competitor because of this issue. Montana has too many wishy-washys like the current Gov! and both Senators! When the Gov sez that B. Hussien Obama will not attempt to kill the 2nd Amendment, he is an outright liar and a communist too! Obama has a super big record of supporting gun-grabbing! Down with Cooper, the 2 faced Gov, and Hussein Obama! "
D. Daniels wrote on Nov 2, 2008 9:00 AM:
" The First Amendment protecting freedom of speech, religion, and the press is the foundation of all our political freedoms. Here the gun nuts have shown their fanatical extremism by attacking someone exercising their first amendment freedoms in exchange for second amendment rights. Clearly, right-wing fanatics threaten our sacred liberties. They do not understand the basis of freedom for any part of the Bill of Rights. "
SuperMag wrote on Nov 2, 2008 11:42 AM:
" Cooper has the right to publicly proclaim his support for the The Annointed One. And that's as it should be. But since when do I not have the right to publicly disagree with him? "
Jamie Spaulding wrote on Nov 2, 2008 5:00 PM:
" Dan Cooper has the right to vote for whomever he pleases. Gun owners also have a right to buy their rifles from companies they believe have their best intrests at heart. The NRA had nothing to do with this. The consumers decided to do this on their own. The NRA supports Democrats. Ask Rep. John Tanner (D-TN). He votes pro-gun. Obama doesn't and never has. It's a shame that Mr. Cooper allowed the Obama campaign use his support to try and paint Obama as a supporter of the 2nd Amendment when anyone who cares can look at his voting record and see that he is not. Now Mr. Cooper can reap what he sows. He has rights but so do gun buyers. It's sad for his employees. "
nick boynton wrote on Nov 2, 2008 8:19 PM:
" the right wing is wrong, narrow minded and un American. It seems if you don't agree with them, you don't belong in America.
The "don't blame me, I voted for bush" bumper stickers that appeared when clinton was elected are indicative of this nasty hateful attitude. Notice the same could have been said during w's four years, but wasn't "
The "don't blame me, I voted for bush" bumper stickers that appeared when clinton was elected are indicative of this nasty hateful attitude. Notice the same could have been said during w's four years, but wasn't "
FI Jake wrote on Nov 2, 2008 9:00 PM:
" I'm with Hunting Shack. Why would Cooper support someone who is against something so fundamental to Montanans as our Second Amendment rights?
Even scarier, how could ANY MONTANAN support a candidate that vows to BANKRUPT the COAL INDUSTRY - another Montana icon?
Obama said his energy plan would BANKRUPT the COAL INDUSTRY and cause electric rates to sky-rocket. Here is the link. Spread the word! If Obama is elected - our coal industry is DEAD!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdi4onAQBWQ "
Even scarier, how could ANY MONTANAN support a candidate that vows to BANKRUPT the COAL INDUSTRY - another Montana icon?
Obama said his energy plan would BANKRUPT the COAL INDUSTRY and cause electric rates to sky-rocket. Here is the link. Spread the word! If Obama is elected - our coal industry is DEAD!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdi4onAQBWQ "
emeraldrain wrote on Nov 3, 2008 2:29 AM:
" Absoutely unbelieveable in this day and time. Its more than support for Obama here that has gotten this poor guy to quit his job. People like some of these Montanas, the big sky county, can't even get their head out of its you know where. I wish the man could take his company somewhere else "
Hunter wrote on Nov 3, 2008 5:08 AM:
" One issue... Pretty small if you ask me. Obama won't be able to pass any laws on gun control anyway. Congress makes the laws. Make sure we keep a republican congress and everything will be fine. Why does everyone think we are voting for a King? The posts seem to acknowledge the constitution yet forget the fact that Congress makes the laws in this nation. "
John Pennell wrote on Nov 3, 2008 8:19 AM:
" Regarding 1st ammendment rights: no one in support of the 2nd amendment is trying to deprive Cooper of his right to free speech, they are strongly disagreeing with what he said. To most liberals "free speech" means they have the right to say whatever they wish and everyone is required to nod in agreement. "
gruver wrote on Nov 3, 2008 8:30 AM:
" Asking and/or forcing a mans career to be eliminated on sacrificing his First Amendment rights just to support the Second Amendment. Not all gun owners are alike in the political spectrum. This move to remove Copper surely taints and exposes just how far the NRA and paranoid gun owners will go. "
Chris wrote on Nov 3, 2008 8:49 AM:
" Obama is in support of the 2nd amendment. He's made no statement to limit guns. More Republican misinformation and a ignorant crowd too lazy to be better informed. God forbid the sale of a few guns - why not just state the facts Cooper Firearms and educate your customers?? "
Rat wrote on Nov 3, 2008 1:29 PM:
" Obama continues ".. we can provide common-sense approaches to the issue of illegal guns.." Who's common sense? Mine or Barak Obama's. I'm not lazy or ill informed. The gun controllers will continue to expand the definition of what it means to own an "assault weapon" and restrict citizen access to the tools necessary to defend the United States from criminal or state sponsored oppression. If the residents of Washington DC choose to leave themselves defenseless in the face of ruthless criminals, so be it. But I am a citizen of Montana and the United States and will not allow Barak Obama's "common sense" to govern what firearms I am permitted to own. "
Ray Nelson wrote on Nov 3, 2008 1:32 PM:
" Obama continues ".. we can provide common-sense approaches to the issue of illegal guns.." Who's common sense? Mine or Barak Obama's. I'm not lazy or ill informed. The gun controllers will continue to expand the definition of what it means to own an "assault weapon" and restrict citizen access to the tools necessary to defend the United States from criminal or state sponsored oppression. If the residents of Washington DC choose to leave themselves defenseless in the face of ruthless criminals, so be it. But I am a citizen of Montana and the United States and will not allow Barak Obama's "common sense" to govern what firearms I am permitted to own. "
Frankiezworld wrote on Nov 3, 2008 2:56 PM:
" What a bunch of radical racists. You're going to boycott someone's business because of his vote?
You would also not vote for someone because of their race. You folks are narrow minded bigots.
Is that why you're hanging out in the woods of Montana. You can't be accepted anywhere else? "
You would also not vote for someone because of their race. You folks are narrow minded bigots.
Is that why you're hanging out in the woods of Montana. You can't be accepted anywhere else? "
l wrote on Nov 1, 2008 1:24 AM:
And Gov. Schweitzer...WHAT kind of support are you offering? You SHOULD be supporting Dan Cooper, NOT his spineless board of directors or offering to sell their rifles!
To the Hunting Shack..thanks for sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong and letting us know you don't support Dan Cooper either! You would rather have that idiot Palen in office??? YOUR choice! So where is Dan Cooper's freedom of choice? SUCH hypocrites!
NO ONE, including Obama, is going to take away anyone's 2nd amendment rights! People need to vote on more than just one issue. This country is in such a mess and all you can think about are your GUNS??? You think it's ok to ask a man to resign his job in the company he built? What about HIS livelihood and his family's well being?
There are a whole lot of things here that are much more important than a bunch of obsessed maniacs crying about who one man supports for president. The board of directors, the governor, and the Hunting Shack should be ashamed for empowering these idiots. None of you will get my business or my vote! "