﻿ONE_NN1 NATION_NN1 UNDER_PRP GUNS_NN2 
MY_DPS INDUSTRY_NN1 HAS_VHZ PLAYED_VVD A_AT0 LEADING_AJ0 ROLE_NN1 IN_PRP FOMENTING_VVG the_AT0 division_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS nation_NN1 ,_PUN one_CRD aspect_NN1 of_PRF which_DTQ boiled_VVD over_AVP and_CJC into_PRP the_AT0 streets_NN2 of_PRF cities_NN2 across_PRP America_NP0 after_PRP the_AT0 cruel_AJ0 murder_NN1 of_PRF George_NP0 Floyd_NP0 in_PRP May_NP0 2020._CRD In_PRP rural_AJ0 cities_NN2 like_PRP ours_PNP these_DT0 protests_NN2 were_VBD met_VVN with_PRP angry_AJ0 White_AJ0 men_NN2 who_PNQ were_VBD encouraged_VVN and_CJC incited_VVN to_TO0 exert_VVI the_AT0 power_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS privilege_NN1 with_PRP intimidation_NN1 and_CJC firepower_NN1 ._SENT 
In_PRP my_DPS job_NN1 as_PRP Kimber_NP0 's_POS vice_AJ0 president_NN1 of_PRF sales_NN0 ,_PUN I_PNP often_AV0 reminded_VVD other_AJ0 gun_NN1 executives_NN2 that_CJT the_AT0 worsening_AJ0 cultural_AJ0 divide_NN1 had_VHD become_VVN a_AT0 game_NN1 of_PRF Russian_AJ0 roulette_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD watched_VVN as_PRP incidences_NN2 of_PRF school_NN1 shootings_NN2 increased_VVN along_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 national_AJ0 obsession_NN1 over_PRP offensive_AJ0 weapons_NN2 of_PRF war_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS I_PNP became_VVD increasingly_AV0 alarmed_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP made_VVD the_AT0 fateful_AJ0 decision_NN1 to_TO0 try_VVI to_TO0 use_VVI my_DPS leadership_NN1 position_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 industry_NN1 to_TO0 convince_VVI those_DT0 in_PRP power_NN1 that_CJT someday_AV0 soon_AV0 a_AT0 chambered_AJ0 bullet_NN1 would_VM0 tear_VVI America_NP0 in_PRP half_DT0 ._SENT 
Those_DT0 warnings_NN2 all_DT0 seemed_VVD strangely_AV0 distant_AJ0 now_AV0 ,_PUN as_CJS if_CJS I_PNP had_VHD been_VBN observing_VVG the_AT0 war_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 planning_NN1 room_NN1 on_PRP impersonal_AJ0 maps_NN2 with_PRP plastic_NN1 soldiers_NN2 to_TO0 represent_VVI real_AJ0 people_NN0 ._SENT Now_AV0 the_AT0 war_NN1 was_VBD here_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC my_DPS family_NN1 was_VBD on_PRP the_AT0 ground_NN1 ,_PUN alongside_PRP me_PNP ._SENT There_EX0 were_VBD no_AT0 more_DT0 plastic_NN1 figures_NN2 ,_PUN just_AV0 us_PNP and_CJC the_AT0 angry_AJ0 armed_AJ0 men_NN2 my_DPS industry_NN1 had_VHD empowered_VVN ._SENT 
Kalispell_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 northwest_NN1 corner_NN1 of_PRF Montana_NP0 ,_PUN is_VBZ home_AV0 to_PRP a_AT0 concerning_PRP number_NN1 of_PRF White_AJ0 supremacists_NN2 but_CJC also_AV0 a_AT0 growing_AJ0 number_NN1 of_PRF people_NN0 who_PNQ feel_VVB called_VVN to_TO0 stand_VVI up_AVP for_PRP higher_AJC principles_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP many_DT0 ways_NN2 our_DPS town_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP many_DT0 other_AJ0 small_AJ0 cities_NN2 across_PRP the_AT0 country_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ a_AT0 microcosm_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 nation_NN1 's_POS cultural_AJ0 identity_NN1 crisis_NN1 ._SENT 
As_CJS I_PNP prepared_VVD to_TO0 join_VVI Kalispell_NP0 's_POS Black_AJ0 Lives_NN2 Matter_VVB rally_NN1 in_PRP June_NP0 2020_CRD ,_PUN I_PNP knew_VVD that_CJT my_DPS family_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP would_VM0 experience_VVI the_AT0 culture_NN1 war_NN1 close-up_NN1 ,_PUN on_PRP a_AT0 personal_AJ0 scale_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP troubled_VVD me_PNP ._SENT I_PNP felt_VVD guilty_AJ0 because_CJS I_PNP was_VBD still_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 industry_NN1 —_PUN although_CJS by_PRP that_DT0 point_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD made_VVN a_AT0 plan_NN1 to_TO0 get_VVI out_AVP ._SENT Nonetheless_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD built_VVN a_AT0 successful_AJ0 career_NN1 selling_VVG tools_NN2 designed_VVN for_PRP a_AT0 single_AJ0 ,_PUN ultimate_AJ0 purpose_NN1 :_PUN to_TO0 take_VVI lives_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC I_PNP believed_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 guns_NN2 I_PNP sold_VVD were_VBD different_AJ0 :_PUN they_PNP were_VBD used_VVN for_PRP self-defense_NN1 and_CJC for_PRP hunting_NN1 and_CJC target_NN1 shooting_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ were_VBD indelible_AJ0 parts_NN2 of_PRF my_DPS childhood_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP spent_VVD a_AT0 career_NN1 focusing_VVG on_PRP those_DT0 other_AJ0 purposes_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP believed_VVD I_PNP was_VBD different_AJ0 from_PRP those_DT0 who_PNQ actually_AV0 wanted_VVD to_TO0 use_VVI their_DPS guns_NN2 for_PRP deliberate_AJ0 killing_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC of_PRF course_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP was_VBD also_AV0 tied_VVN to_PRP them_PNP whether_CJS I_PNP wished_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI or_CJC not_XX0 ._SENT 
When_CJS I_PNP started_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 industry_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP wanted_VVD nothing_PNI to_TO0 do_VDI with_PRP extremism_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP stayed_VVD as_CJS long_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP did_VDD because_CJS I_PNP believed_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 ideals_NN2 and_CJC values_NN2 that_CJT I_PNP learned_VVD growing_VVG up_AVP as_PRP a_AT0 ranch_NN1 kid_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS a_AT0 hunter_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC as_CJS someone_PNI who_PNQ still_AV0 appreciates_VVZ the_AT0 craftsmanship_NN1 of_PRF well-built_AJ0 firearms_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP thought_VVD I_PNP could_VM0 keep_VVI the_AT0 industry_NN1 from_PRP changing_VVG ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 I_PNP spent_VVD years_NN2 fighting_VVG to_TO0 hold_VVI a_AT0 battle_NN1 line_NN1 within_PRP it_PNP ._SENT By_PRP that_DT0 day_NN1 in_PRP 2020_CRD ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD begun_VVN the_AT0 process_NN1 of_PRF getting_VVG out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 gun_NN1 business_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC as_CJS I_PNP thought_VVD about_PRP the_AT0 company_NN1 I_PNP helped_VVD build_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 countless_AJ0 guns_NN2 we_PNP sold_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 question_NN1 my_DPS son_NN1 had_VHD just_AV0 asked_VVN me_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP kept_VVD telling_VVG myself_PNX ,_PUN I_PNP hope_VVB none_PNI of_PRF them_PNP are_VBB using_VVG a_AT0 Kimber_NP0 ._SENT 
I_PNP had_VHD worked_VVN hard_AJ0 during_PRP my_DPS career_NN1 to_TO0 help_VVI build_VVI a_AT0 company_NN1 that_CJT sold_VVD guns_NN2 I_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI proud_AJ0 to_PRP own_DT0 ._SENT To_PRP me_PNP and_CJC many_DT0 others_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 lines_NN2 between_PRP different_AJ0 types_NN2 of_PRF firearms_NN2 were_VBD clear_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD frustrated_AJ0 when_CJS cable_NN1 news_NN1 shows_VVZ glossed_VVN over_PRP the_AT0 differences_NN2 between_PRP guns_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 differences_NN2 between_PRP gun_NN1 owners_NN2 because_CJS I_PNP knew_VVD it_PNP just_AV0 played_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 National_AJ0 Rifle_NN1 Association_NN1 (_PUL NRA_NP0 )_PUR plan_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 powerful_AJ0 organization_NN1 was_VBD just_AV0 starting_VVG to_TO0 reel_VVI from_PRP self-inflicted_AJ0 wounds_NN2 and_CJC would_VM0 eventually_AV0 file_VVI for_PRP bankruptcy_NN1 ._SENT Despite_PRP those_DT0 setbacks_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 country_NN1 was_VBD living_VVG through_PRP chaos_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ proved_VVD that_CJT our_DPS nation_NN1 had_VHD already_AV0 been_VBN transformed_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 NRA_NP0 and_CJC that_CJT there_EX0 was_VBD no_AV0 going_VVG back_AVP ._SENT The_AT0 NRA_NP0 had_VHD succeeded_VVN with_PRP a_AT0 plan_NN1 that_CJT required_VVD all_DT0 gun_NN1 owners_NN2 to_TO0 appear_VVI identical_AJ0 and_CJC march_NN1 in_PRP lockstep_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP wanted_VVD people_NN0 to_TO0 know_VVI that_CJT no_AT0 matter_NN1 what_DTQ the_AT0 NRA_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD not_XX0 like_PRP the_AT0 men_NN2 who_PNQ would_VM0 confront_VVI my_DPS family_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 millions_CRD of_PRF gun_NN1 owners_NN2 who_PNQ were_VBD disgusted_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 thought_NN1 of_PRF being_VBG lumped_VVN in_AVP with_PRP those_DT0 who_PNQ use_VVB offensive_AJ0 weapons_NN2 to_TO0 threaten_VVI and_CJC intimidate_VVI ._SENT 
As_CJS we_PNP approached_VVD the_AT0 rally_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP joined_VVD up_AVP with_PRP a_AT0 group_NN1 of_PRF high_AJ0 school_NN1 kids_NN2 chanting_VVG ,_PUN "_PUQ No_AT0 justice_NN1 ,_PUN no_AT0 peace_NN1 !_SENT "_PUQ A_AT0 few_DT0 minutes_NN2 later_AV0 we_PNP stood_VVD with_PRP a_AT0 local_AJ0 pastor_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP and_CJC I_PNP actually_AV0 had_VHD something_PNI in_PRP common_AJ0 ._SENT He_PNP also_AV0 spent_VVD much_DT0 of_PRF his_DPS time_NN1 fighting_VVG against_PRP powerful_AJ0 societal_AJ0 forces_NN2 unleashed_VVN by_PRP those_DT0 who_PNQ had_VHD appropriated_VVN something_PNI important_AJ0 to_PRP him_PNP ._SENT The_AT0 look_NN1 of_PRF anguish_NN1 and_CJC guilt_NN1 in_PRP his_DPS eyes_NN2 felt_VVD familiar_AJ0 ._SENT 
More_AV0 than_CJS a_AT0 thousand_CRD people_NN0 had_VHD gathered_VVN downtown_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 protest_NN1 grew_VVD tense_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 dozens_CRD of_PRF armed_AJ0 men_NN2 we_PNP knew_VVD would_VM0 be_VBI there_AV0 hovered_VVN behind_PRP us_PNP ._SENT They_PNP stood_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 line_NN1 ,_PUN stiff_AJ0 ,_PUN looking_VVG like_PRP out-of-shape_AJ0 military_AJ0 guards_NN2 waiting_VVG to_TO0 shoot_VVI an_AT0 escaping_AJ0 prisoner_NN1 ._SENT All_DT0 of_PRF them_PNP were_VBD White_AJ0 ._SENT Most_DT0 had_VHD beards_NN2 and_CJC military_AJ0 boots_NN2 ._SENT Some_DT0 wore_VVD MAGA_NP0 hats_NN2 and_CJC Oath_NN1 Keepers_NN2 or_CJC "_PUQ 3_CRD Percenter_NN1 "_PUQ patches_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ signified_VVD membership_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 growing_AJ0 radical_AJ0 militia_NN0 organization_NN1 founded_VVN around_PRP the_AT0 concept_NN1 that_CJT only_AV0 3_CRD percent_NN0 of_PRF American_AJ0 colonists_NN2 were_VBD bold_AJ0 enough_AV0 to_TO0 fight_VVI the_AT0 British_AJ0 ._SENT One_CRD man_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 bright-red_AJ0 Marine_AJ0 Corps_NN0 cap_NN1 walked_VVD through_PRP the_AT0 crowd_NN1 ,_PUN glaring_VVG at_PRP us_PNP with_PRP a_AT0 baseball_NN1 bat_NN1 over_PRP his_DPS shoulder_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS grip_NN1 on_PRP it_PNP tight_AV0 ._SENT He_PNP looped_VVD through_PRP the_AT0 high_AJ0 school_NN1 kids_NN2 ,_PUN then_AV0 returned_VVN to_TO0 stand_VVI with_PRP the_AT0 armed_AJ0 men_NN2 ,_PUN who_PNQ were_VBD all_AV0 carrying_VVG loaded_AJ0 AR-15s_NN2 with_PRP thirty-round_AJ0 magazines_NN2 ._SENT 
For_PRP decades_NN2 my_DPS industry_NN1 accepted_VVD and_CJC preached_VVD the_AT0 rules_NN2 of_PRF basic_AJ0 gun_NN1 safety_NN1 ._SENT Through_PRP a_AT0 network_NN1 of_PRF thousands_CRD of_PRF safety_NN1 classes_NN2 for_PRP hunters_NN2 and_CJC gun_NN1 owners_NN2 across_PRP the_AT0 country_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 industry_NN1 had_VHD long_AV0 mandated_VVN avoidance_NN1 of_PRF confrontation_NN1 ._SENT Guns_NN2 were_VBD to_TO0 be_VBI used_VVN for_PRP defense_NN1 and_CJC only_AV0 as_CJS a_AT0 last_ORD resort_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 men_NN2 at_PRP this_DT0 protest_NN1 dispensed_VVN with_PRP all_DT0 those_DT0 safety_NN1 norms_NN2 ._SENT Their_DPS loaded_AJ0 rifles_NN2 hung_VVN from_PRP three-point_AJ0 tactical_AJ0 harnesses_NN2 ,_PUN muzzle_VVB down_AVP ,_PUN on_PRP the_AT0 front_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS chests_NN2 :_PUN each_DT0 rifle_NN1 a_AT0 flashing_AJ0 neon_NN1 sign_NN1 of_PRF offensive_AJ0 intimidation_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD come_VVN here_AV0 looking_VVG for_PRP a_AT0 fight_NN1 ._SENT 
These_DT0 men_NN2 were_VBD ,_PUN after_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN amateurs_NN2 ,_PUN with_PRP one_CRD thing_NN1 that_CJT unified_VVD them_PNP :_PUN assault_NN1 rifles_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ are_VBB anything_PNI but_CJC amateur_AJ0 ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD accessorized_VVN their_DPS guns_NN2 with_PRP quad_NN1 rails_NN2 ,_PUN electronic_AJ0 red_AJ0 dot_NN1 sights_NN2 ,_PUN folding_AJ0 stocks_NN2 ,_PUN muzzle_NN1 brakes_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 litany_NN1 of_PRF other_AJ0 modifications_NN2 —_PUN all_AV0 designed_VVN to_TO0 make_VVI the_AT0 guns_NN2 more_AV0 lethal_AJ0 ._SENT These_DT0 were_VBD the_AT0 same_DT0 specializations_NN2 that_CJT elite_AJ0 military_AJ0 units_NN2 use_VVB to_TO0 increase_VVI efficiency_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 heat_NN1 of_PRF war_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 soldiers_NN2 in_PRP those_DT0 units_NN2 go_VVB through_PRP extensive_AJ0 training_NN1 and_CJC use_VVB these_DT0 weapons_NN2 as_PRP unforgiving_AJ0 killing_NN1 machines_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 amateurs_NN2 at_PRP our_DPS protest_NN1 were_VBD not_XX0 from_PRP any_DT0 trained_AJ0 unit_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD probably_AV0 met_VVN one_PNI another_DT0 through_PRP such_DT0 booming_AJ0 social_AJ0 media_NN0 sites_NN2 as_PRP replaced-dns_NN2 ,_PUN Funker_NN1 Tactical_AJ0 ,_PUN Demolition_NN1 Ranch_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 Military_AJ0 Arms_NN2 Channel_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP years_NN2 prior_AJ0 to_PRP this_DT0 protest_NN1 ,_PUN advertising_NN1 executives_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 gun_NN1 industry_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN encouraging_VVG the_AT0 "_PUQ tactical_AJ0 lifestyle_NN1 "_PUQ by_PRP spending_VVG millions_CRD of_PRF dollars_NN2 with_PRP these_DT0 websites_NN2 and_CJC influencers_NN2 ,_PUN who_PNQ ,_PUN in_PRP turn_NN1 ,_PUN cultivated_VVD millions_CRD of_PRF followers_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 resulting_AJ0 feedback_NN1 loop_NN1 powered_VVD a_AT0 culture_NN1 that_CJT glorified_AJ0 weapons_NN2 of_PRF war_NN1 and_CJC encouraged_VVD followers_NN2 to_TO0 "_PUQ own_VVI the_AT0 libs_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 more_AV0 extreme_AJ0 the_AT0 posts_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 more_DT0 followers_NN2 they_PNP gained_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 more_DT0 guns_NN2 we_PNP sold_VVD ._SENT Eventually_AV0 ,_PUN those_DT0 followers_NN2 began_VVD showing_VVG up_AVP at_PRP the_AT0 capitol_NN1 buildings_NN2 in_PRP Virginia_NP0 ,_PUN Michigan_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Kentucky_NP0 with_PRP loaded_AJ0 rifles_NN2 ._SENT Despite_PRP the_AT0 fact_NN1 that_CJT their_DPS aggressive_AJ0 actions_NN2 violated_VVD all_DT0 gun-safety_AJ0 norms_NN2 once_AV0 mandated_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 gun_NN1 business_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP never_AV0 heard_VVD a_AT0 single_AJ0 gun-industry_NN1 member_NN1 criticize_VVB them_PNP or_CJC worry_VVB about_PRP the_AT0 repercussions_NN2 ._SENT 
As_CJS I_PNP turned_VVD back_AVP to_PRP our_DPS group_NN1 of_PRF protesters_NN2 and_CJC toward_PRP the_AT0 busy_AJ0 street_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 large_AJ0 truck_NN1 revved_VVD its_DPS engine_NN1 to_TO0 blow_VVI a_AT0 cloud_NN1 of_PRF black_AJ0 diesel_NN1 exhaust_NN1 into_PRP our_DPS faces_NN2 ._SENT Men_NN2 standing_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 back_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 truck_NN1 began_VVD taunting_VVG us_PNP ._SENT One_PNI held_VVD up_AVP a_AT0 large_AJ0 Confederate_NN1 flag_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Lander_NP0 shot_VVD me_PNP a_AT0 look_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 the_AT0 line_NN1 of_PRF armed_AJ0 men_NN2 behind_AV0 us_PNP shook_VVD their_DPS fists_NN2 and_CJC yelled_VVD back_AVP in_PRP approval_NN1 over_PRP the_AT0 top_NN1 of_PRF us_PNP ._SENT They_PNP had_VHD just_AV0 surrounded_VVN our_DPS group_NN1 of_PRF protesters_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP looked_VVD back_AVP at_PRP the_AT0 armed_AJ0 men_NN2 in_PRP disgust_NN1 ._SENT Our_DPS country_NN1 had_VHD arrived_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 point_NN1 where_AVQ military_AJ0 guns_NN2 were_VBD the_AT0 symbols_NN2 of_PRF an_AT0 entire_AJ0 political_AJ0 movement_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 NRA_NP0 and_CJC the_AT0 firearms_NN2 companies_NN2 had_VHD long_AV0 ago_AV0 harnessed_VVN this_DT0 fear_NN1 and_CJC hate_VVB as_PRP fuel_NN1 ,_PUN then_AV0 dropped_VVD a_AT0 match_NN1 into_PRP the_AT0 middle_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP ._SENT The_AT0 sparks_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 kindling_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 blaze_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN stacked_VVN since_PRP the_AT0 beginning_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS career_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 gun_NN1 business_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC now_AV0 it_PNP exploded_VVD into_PRP a_AT0 national_AJ0 inferno_NN1 from_PRP which_DTQ emerged_VVD the_AT0 angry_AJ0 MAGA_NP0 Man_NN1 who_PNQ had_VHD pushed_VVN his_DPS fat_AJ0 finger_NN1 into_PRP my_DPS boy_NN1 's_POS chest_NN1 ._SENT 
After_CJS I_PNP told_VVD the_AT0 guy_NN1 to_TO0 keep_VVI walking_VVG ,_PUN his_DPS buddies_NN2 stepped_VVD in_AVP to_TO0 challenge_VVI me_PNP ._SENT One_PNI carried_VVD an_AT0 AR-15_NN1 loaded_VVN with_PRP a_AT0 high-capacity_AJ0 magazine_NN1 ._SENT Another_DT0 held_VVD a_AT0 tactical_AJ0 shotgun_NN1 slung_VVD over_AVP his_DPS shoulder_NN1 ;_PUN this_DT0 is_VBZ a_AT0 preferred_AJ0 weapon_NN1 in_PRP close_AJ0 combat_NN1 ,_PUN designed_VVN to_TO0 be_VBI quickly_AV0 fired_VVN in_PRP tight_AJ0 spaces_NN2 and_CJC to_TO0 deliver_VVI a_AT0 wide_AJ0 spray_NN1 of_PRF deadly_AJ0 shot_NN1 ._SENT Professional_AJ0 military_AJ0 officers_NN2 and_CJC tactical_AJ0 law-enforcement_AJ0 units_NN2 use_VVB these_DT0 short-barreled_AJ0 weapons_NN2 to_TO0 clear_VVI entire_AJ0 buildings_NN2 and_CJC to_TO0 shoot_VVI multiple_AJ0 assailants_NN2 in_PRP moving_VVG vehicles_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 tension_NN1 diffused_VVN just_AV0 enough_AV0 to_TO0 avoid_VVI disaster_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP all_AV0 could_VM0 have_VHI gone_VVN so_AV0 wrong_AJ0 ._SENT People_NN0 around_PRP me_PNP at_PRP our_DPS local_AJ0 protest_NN1 were_VBD shocked_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 amateur_AJ0 militia_NN0 and_CJC the_AT0 unhinged_AJ0 man_NN1 who_PNQ screamed_VVD at_PRP my_DPS twelve-year-old_AJ0 son_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 shocked_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD seen_VVN this_DT0 coming_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP studied_VVD these_DT0 men_NN2 now_AV0 ,_PUN disgusted_AJ0 but_CJC also_AV0 curious_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP saw_VVD a_AT0 man_NN1 I_PNP thought_VVD I_PNP knew_VVD as_CJS he_PNP passed_VVD by_AVP ._SENT Our_DPS eyes_NN2 met_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP nodded_VVD at_PRP me_PNP as_CJS if_CJS to_TO0 say_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ Thank_VVB you_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ Then_AV0 I_PNP looked_VVD at_PRP his_DPS hip_NN1 ._SENT There_AV0 it_PNP was_VBD :_PUN a_AT0 holstered_AJ0 Kimber_NP0 pistol_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS stomach_NN1 dropped_VVD ._SENT But_CJC I_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 surprised_AJ0 ._SENT 
Over_PRP the_AT0 previous_AJ0 twenty-five_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD worked_VVN hard_AJ0 to_TO0 keep_VVI Kimber_NP0 from_PRP jumping_VVG on_PRP the_AT0 exploding_AJ0 AR-15_NN1 bandwagon_NN1 ._SENT Despite_PRP immense_AJ0 pressures_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP had_VHD succeeded_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC Kimber_NP0 stayed_VVD out_AVP of_PRF that_DT0 market_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP wanted_VVD a_AT0 company_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD more_AV0 focused_VVN on_PRP what_DTQ I_PNP believed_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 defensible_AJ0 and_CJC sustainable_AJ0 approach_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 on_PRP the_AT0 commoditized_VVN "_PUQ black_AJ0 guns_NN2 "_PUQ that_CJT fed_VVD the_AT0 tactical_AJ0 lifestyle_NN1 ._SENT Our_DPS products_NN2 were_VBD based_VVN on_PRP century-old_AJ0 designs_NN2 and_CJC featured_VVD exquisite_AJ0 craftsmanship_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Kimber_NP0 pistol_NN1 I_PNP saw_VVD that_CJT day_NN1 was_VBD proof_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP could_VM0 do_VDI only_AV0 so_AV0 much_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 face_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 wave_NN1 of_PRF radicalization_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 industry_NN1 I_PNP once_AV0 loved_VVD and_CJC helped_VVD build_NN1 was_VBD now_AV0 almost_AV0 unrecognizable_AJ0 to_PRP me_PNP ._SENT 
Had_VHD the_AT0 men_NN2 who_PNQ just_AV0 confronted_VVD me_PNP known_AJ0 about_PRP my_DPS day_NN1 job_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP might_VM0 have_VHI done_VDN a_AT0 double_AJ0 take_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 day_NN1 before_PRP this_DT0 protest_NN1 I_PNP sat_VVD in_PRP my_DPS comfortable_AJ0 office_NN1 ,_PUN directing_VVG the_AT0 sales_NN0 of_PRF guns_NN2 and_CJC marveling_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 effects_NN2 of_PRF an_AT0 unprecedented_AJ0 sales_NN0 boom_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP started_VVD the_AT0 day_NN1 with_PRP an_AT0 impromptu_AJ0 sales_NN0 meeting_NN1 ._SENT Allen_NP0 ,_PUN our_DPS longtime_AJ0 manager_NN1 of_PRF sales_NN0 operations_NN2 ,_PUN arrived_VVN at_PRP work_NN1 ,_PUN bursting_VVG through_PRP the_AT0 door_NN1 with_PRP his_DPS usual_AJ0 intensity_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Just_AV0 about_PRP everything_PNI in_PRP California_NP0 is_VBZ still_AV0 shut_VVN down_AVP ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ People_NN0 ca_VM0 n't_XX0 buy_VVI a_AT0 hamburger_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC damn_AV0 ,_PUN have_VHB you_PNP seen_VVN the_AT0 pictures_NN2 from_PRP Turner_NP0 's_POS ?_SENT "_PUQ He_PNP showed_VVD me_PNP the_AT0 photo_NN1 of_PRF long_AJ0 lines_NN2 of_PRF customers_NN2 waiting_VVG to_TO0 get_VVI inside_PRP the_AT0 gun_NN1 store_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP 's_VBZ like_PRP Black_AJ0 Friday_NP0 times_NN2 five_CRD !_SENT "_PUQ 
"_PUQ I_PNP mean_VVB ,_PUN what_DTQ does_VDZ it_PNP say_VVI about_PRP our_DPS country_NN1 that_CJT we_PNP 've_VHB been_VBN hoarding_VVG toilet_NN1 paper_NN1 and_CJC guns_NN2 ?_SENT "_PUQ he_PNP added_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ NICS_NP0 is_VBZ going_VVG to_TO0 be_VBI off_PRP the_AT0 chart_NN1 again_AV0 !_SENT "_PUQ 
A_AT0 federal_AJ0 law_NN1 named_VVN after_PRP President_NP0 Reagan_NP0 's_POS press_NN1 secretary_NN1 ,_PUN who_PNQ had_VHD been_VBN wounded_VVN in_PRP an_AT0 assassination_NN1 attempt_NN1 ,_PUN created_VVD the_AT0 National_AJ0 Instant_AJ0 Criminal_AJ0 Background_NN1 Check_NN1 System_NN1 (_PUL NICS_NP0 )_PUR in_PRP 1998._CRD The_AT0 Brady_NP0 Act_NN1 mandated_VVD that_CJT all_DT0 gun_NN1 sales_NN0 by_PRP licensed_AJ0 dealers_NN2 require_VVB one_CRD of_PRF these_DT0 checks_NN2 before_PRP finalizing_VVG a_AT0 gun_NN1 sale_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 initial_AJ0 purpose_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 system_NN1 was_VBD preventing_VVG criminals_NN2 from_PRP purchasing_AJ0 guns_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP also_AV0 served_VVD as_PRP the_AT0 closest_AJS thing_NN1 to_PRP an_AT0 official_AJ0 record_NN1 of_PRF gun_NN1 sales_NN0 in_PRP America_NP0 ._SENT After_PRP some_DT0 data_NN0 adjustments_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 firearms_NN2 industry_NN1 generally_AV0 accepted_VVD that_CJT one_CRD NICS_NP0 check_NN1 equals_VVZ one_CRD gun_NN1 sold_VVN ._SENT 
Each_DT0 month_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 federal_AJ0 Bureau_NN1 of_PRF Alcohol_NN1 ,_PUN Tobacco_NN1 ,_PUN Firearms_NN2 and_CJC Explosives_NN2 reported_VVD NICS_NP0 numbers_NN2 for_PRP the_AT0 previous_AJ0 month_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 gun_NN1 industry_NN1 dutifully_AV0 studied_VVN and_CJC mined_VVN these_DT0 data_NN0 for_PRP indications_NN2 about_PRP market_NN1 trends_NN2 ._SENT 
