Is Benchmade Anti-Gun? - The Fight

Published on February 21, 2019
Duration: 8:07

This video from TheGunCollective, hosted by John Patton, critically examines the controversy surrounding Benchmade Knife Company's involvement in the destruction of firearms. Patton analyzes the public backlash following an Oregon City Police Department post showcasing Benchmade's assistance in cutting up guns, questioning the practice and Benchmade's PR response. The analysis extends to Benchmade's political donation history, revealing significant contributions to anti-gun politicians, which the host argues constitutes a betrayal of trust for gun owners.

Quick Summary

The Benchmade controversy erupted after the company assisted the Oregon City Police Department in destroying firearms. This, combined with research showing Benchmade's political donations exclusively to anti-gun politicians, led gun owners to feel betrayed by the brand, despite Benchmade's claims of supporting the Second Amendment.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Benchmade Controversy Introduction
  2. 00:15Sponsor Message: NeoMag
  3. 00:35Origin of Benchmade Controversy
  4. 00:59Critique of Gun Destruction
  5. 01:35Social Media Reaction & OCPD Clarification
  6. 02:08Analysis of OCPD's Explanation
  7. 03:07Questioning Benchmade's Involvement & PR
  8. 04:33Benchmade's Non-Response & Competitor Reactions
  9. 05:15Benchmade's Political Donations
  10. 06:36Conclusion: Betrayal of Trust
  11. 07:17Offer to Benchmade for Response

Frequently Asked Questions

What sparked the controversy surrounding Benchmade Knife Company?

The controversy began when the Oregon City Police Department posted on social media thanking Benchmade for assisting them in cutting up firearms for destruction. This action led to widespread criticism from gun owners who felt betrayed by a trusted brand.

How did Benchmade and the OCPD respond to the backlash?

The OCPD clarified that the destroyed guns were either community buybacks or court-ordered evidence destruction. Benchmade issued a vague statement reiterating support for law enforcement and the Second Amendment, which was perceived by many as a PR attempt to downplay the issue.

What did research reveal about Benchmade's political donations?

OpenSecrets.org data showed that Benchmade has consistently directed 100% of its lobbying funds to Democrats in recent election cycles. Further investigation indicated that many of these recipients have voting records supporting gun control measures.

How did other knife companies react to the Benchmade controversy?

Competitor brands such as SOG, Emerson, and Kershaw publicly voiced their opposition to Benchmade's involvement in gun destruction. They emphasized their commitment to the Second Amendment and stated they would not participate in such activities.

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