It looks like I've caught the Chalotte Observer fabricating a source for one of their pro-gun control stories. I stumbled on this article that was mentioned in another thread.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...3storylink=cpy
In it, they quote a supposed local firearms manufacturer, Tactical Arms Manufacturer, Inc, in Huntersville, NC who favors a ban on high capacity magazines. They even go so far to quote the company's VP who alledges that his customers are mainly LE personel.
The problem is, this company does not appear to exist. First, here is their website which appears to be an amateurish shell with no real products.
www.tacticalarmsmfr.com
They only list Huntersville, NC in their contact information and no actual mailing address. In addition, the contact information on the website lists out of state area codes (FL) for this "family owned company." I attempted to call the number and a Hispanic sounding lady answered and hung up the phone telling me that I had the wrong number.
I also tried to find a listing for Ken Rinkor who is the supposed VP. Well, he has no listing in Charlotte, but there is a listing in Orange Park, FL. Things that make you go humm...
Well, I sent this email to the ombudsman at The Observer. Let's see what they have to say for themselves:
Dear Sir:
I'm writing to inform you of inaccuracies in your story, "Gun makers fret as gun control consensus gains steam" that was posted on 12/18/12 and can be found here:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...#storylink=cpy
In this story, you cite Tactical Arms Manufacturer Inc. in Huntersville, NC as a company that produces assault style weapons, but also favors tougher gun laws. On further review, I am unable to verify the actual existence of this company. First, their website appears to be a shell created by a novice scam artist. In addition, there is no mailing or physical address listed on their website. The provided phone number on their website has a NY area code, and appears to connect to a residence. Finally, I've been in the military and worked around the M4/AR15 series of weapons for over 15 years and I never once heard of this company or their supposed VP, Mr. Ken Rinkor, whose existence also cannot be verified.
Thus, it appears that your writer did not do his due diligence in vetting (or factiously creating) this source. Please contact me or issue a correction for this story that appears to contain false and misleading information.
Sincerely,
XXX
Bookmarks