Alsherry
Regular Member
So, I know this was brought up and discussed briefly a week or so ago, but story has evolved, and now, I feel that severity deems more attention. The story reads like a book. A book of Hoplophobia and serious attempts of government overeach, but a story, none the less.
This is all taken directly from their website, which you can find at http://aresarmor.com/
I'm just compiling it for easier reading.
11.26.13 - Sign Erected
12.01-12.07.13 Information Received from Local Police
Ares Armor receives information from local police officer, who will remain un-named at this time, that our sign has angered at least one member of the City Council. This Officer was extremely professional and courteous, he risked his career by giving us this information. He is a true American Patriot who will do the right thing even when the establishment is against him. We will not be releasing his name to protect him from the apparent Tyrannical Government that rules National City.
01.09.14 Threats from Local Government
The city fails to identify any individual or even sign the letter in which they threaten us with fines and jail time. In this letter they attempt to interpret their city code very creatively in order to attack an ideology that they disagree with. Please note that in over 90 years of this billboard being refaced time and time again, no previous tenant has received anything like this. We erect our sign and in less than 45 days this is the welcome we receive.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/National%20City%20Citation.pdf
01.13.14 Appeal Sent to Local Government
Not only our Right to Free Speech but also our Right to Due Process was clearly violated by the unconscionable 3-day appeal deadline. This 3-day appeal deadline is in direct conflict with the city codes and was clearly intended to make the process difficult, reducing the quality of any appeal filed. They yet again twist their laws to suit their purposes.
We filed our appeal within their demanded 3-day time frame. Our appeal would have been much better if we had been given Due Process and received enough time to seek proper legal counsel.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/Dated%20Appeal%20to%20City%20of%20NC.pdf
01.23.14 Open Letter Addressing Local Government
We are a country that is governed by LAW AND NOT BY MEN. I have written this open letter to reiterate that we will not bend to the will of oppressive, pompous, would-be dictators. This sort of willy-nilly government attack on citizens cannot be ignored. This is now a matter of principle and I will go to jail before I authorize that sign being removed!
– Dimitri Karras, CEO Ares Armor
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/Letter%20From%20Dimitri.pdf
01.23.14 Conversation with Mayor of National City
At around 6:30pm I had the pleasure of speaking with the Mayor of National City. He assured me that this is not an issue of a free speech but is in-fact directly related to the city ordinances. He has no explanation as to why in 90 years not one occupant of our building has been harassed by the city except for us. He does not know why we were given 3-days to appeal when the city code specifically grants 30-days. Also, he revealed that they don't plan on reviewing the appeal until next month... So they get around 60-days to review but we only get 3... He said he is a "Gun Guy" and understands, yet he offers no answers or solutions as to why we have been targeted by his city. He also shifted the blame and said he is not responsible for what is happening. Mr. Mayor, you are responsible for your city. Take responsibility for what is happening in your city. Your city has targeted us because of our message, stop playing politics and start fixing the problem. Please and thank you.
01.24.14 Mayor Visits National City Location
Yesterday the Mayor of National City physically walked into our location. Here is a summary written by our manager who spoke with the Mayor of National City during his visit.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/pub%20letter%20to%20mayor.pdf
01.27.14 NBC 7: Gun Parts Shop Sign Causes Controversy
A sign on top of a National City gun parts store has put the business at odds with the city. The store’s owner says he’s being targeted, but the mayor insists it’s just a code violation. NBC 7’s Greg Bledsoe reports.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/242324931.html
02.25.14 FOX5 News San Diego: Gun Store Owner Feels Targeted By City
The owner of a gun store in National City is claiming they are being harassed by the city because they sell tactical weapons. Interview with FOX5 News San Diego at the National City Store off National City Blvd.
http://launch.newsinc.com/share.html?trackingGroup=69016&siteSection=kswbstudio_hom_non_non&videoId=25655407
03.07.14 PROOF: It is not coding.
A sign without permit lies on top of a building structure advertising a thrift store. Yet a sign with an AR-15 and the words "Unserialized. No Registration. Legal." which has been grandfathered in, received notice demanding its removal.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/images/Proof-not-coding.jpg
3.11.14 Court Orders - Temporary Restraining
Order: (1) Granting Temporary Restraining
Order: (2) Setting Briefing Schedule; and
Order: (3) Ordering Preliminary Injunction Hearing
Ares Armor seeks to restrain the ATF from seizing the Ares Armor Customer List and Approximately $300,000 in inventory at 11AM on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/images/TRO%20ORDER%201_Page_1.jpghttp://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/images/TRO%20ORDER%201_Page_2.jpg
3.12.14 Declaration of CEO at Ares Armor
In regards to the events surrounding Ares Armor’s interaction with EP Armory’s products and the threats made towards Ares Armor by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE.) The following declarations are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
http://aresarmor.com/store/NewsArticle/Temporary_Restraining_Order_Against_BATFE
3.13.14 FOX 5: Gun Store Owner Files Injunction Halting Federal Raid
A possible federal raid on a gun store in San Diego was stalled after a lawsuit was filed, a lawyer said Wednesday.
http://video.fox5sandiego.com/Gun-Store-Owner-Files-Injunction-Halting-ATF-Raid-25708847?ndn.trackingGroup=91059&ndn.siteSection=kswb_onthemoney&ndn.videoId=25708847&freewheel=91059&sitesection=kswb_onthemoney&vid=25708847
3.15.14 ATF Violates Restraining Order, Seizes Ares Armor's Computers and Customer Lists
Despite a Temporary Restraining Order that ordered the BATFE to hold off on any action depriving Ares Armor of their computers and customer data, BATFE has executed a search warrant according to Ares Armor's Chief Operating Officer.
http://easybakegunclub.com/news/4811/ATF-Violates-Restraining-Order%2C-Siezes-Ares-Armors.html#.UyVTNYXN7FZ
https://www.facebook.com/AresArmor
Personally, I find this disgusting and absolutely unacceptable. This company has proved that they are violating no laws, and the way they're being treated should bother anyone that holds their Privacy, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Amendments, and the rights of the people dear at heart. I'll be calling them tomorrow and asking them if there's anything anyone can do to help directly.
This isn't a "California" problem either. Yes, California isn't known for its love of gun rights, but the BATFE isn't restricted to California. If you're on those lists, you bet your ass you can expect a nice knock(down) of your door in the near future.
This is all taken directly from their website, which you can find at http://aresarmor.com/
I'm just compiling it for easier reading.
11.26.13 - Sign Erected
12.01-12.07.13 Information Received from Local Police
Ares Armor receives information from local police officer, who will remain un-named at this time, that our sign has angered at least one member of the City Council. This Officer was extremely professional and courteous, he risked his career by giving us this information. He is a true American Patriot who will do the right thing even when the establishment is against him. We will not be releasing his name to protect him from the apparent Tyrannical Government that rules National City.
01.09.14 Threats from Local Government
The city fails to identify any individual or even sign the letter in which they threaten us with fines and jail time. In this letter they attempt to interpret their city code very creatively in order to attack an ideology that they disagree with. Please note that in over 90 years of this billboard being refaced time and time again, no previous tenant has received anything like this. We erect our sign and in less than 45 days this is the welcome we receive.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/National%20City%20Citation.pdf
01.13.14 Appeal Sent to Local Government
Not only our Right to Free Speech but also our Right to Due Process was clearly violated by the unconscionable 3-day appeal deadline. This 3-day appeal deadline is in direct conflict with the city codes and was clearly intended to make the process difficult, reducing the quality of any appeal filed. They yet again twist their laws to suit their purposes.
We filed our appeal within their demanded 3-day time frame. Our appeal would have been much better if we had been given Due Process and received enough time to seek proper legal counsel.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/Dated%20Appeal%20to%20City%20of%20NC.pdf
01.23.14 Open Letter Addressing Local Government
We are a country that is governed by LAW AND NOT BY MEN. I have written this open letter to reiterate that we will not bend to the will of oppressive, pompous, would-be dictators. This sort of willy-nilly government attack on citizens cannot be ignored. This is now a matter of principle and I will go to jail before I authorize that sign being removed!
– Dimitri Karras, CEO Ares Armor
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/Letter%20From%20Dimitri.pdf
01.23.14 Conversation with Mayor of National City
At around 6:30pm I had the pleasure of speaking with the Mayor of National City. He assured me that this is not an issue of a free speech but is in-fact directly related to the city ordinances. He has no explanation as to why in 90 years not one occupant of our building has been harassed by the city except for us. He does not know why we were given 3-days to appeal when the city code specifically grants 30-days. Also, he revealed that they don't plan on reviewing the appeal until next month... So they get around 60-days to review but we only get 3... He said he is a "Gun Guy" and understands, yet he offers no answers or solutions as to why we have been targeted by his city. He also shifted the blame and said he is not responsible for what is happening. Mr. Mayor, you are responsible for your city. Take responsibility for what is happening in your city. Your city has targeted us because of our message, stop playing politics and start fixing the problem. Please and thank you.
01.24.14 Mayor Visits National City Location
Yesterday the Mayor of National City physically walked into our location. Here is a summary written by our manager who spoke with the Mayor of National City during his visit.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/prodlg/pub%20letter%20to%20mayor.pdf
01.27.14 NBC 7: Gun Parts Shop Sign Causes Controversy
A sign on top of a National City gun parts store has put the business at odds with the city. The store’s owner says he’s being targeted, but the mayor insists it’s just a code violation. NBC 7’s Greg Bledsoe reports.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/242324931.html
02.25.14 FOX5 News San Diego: Gun Store Owner Feels Targeted By City
The owner of a gun store in National City is claiming they are being harassed by the city because they sell tactical weapons. Interview with FOX5 News San Diego at the National City Store off National City Blvd.
http://launch.newsinc.com/share.html?trackingGroup=69016&siteSection=kswbstudio_hom_non_non&videoId=25655407
03.07.14 PROOF: It is not coding.
A sign without permit lies on top of a building structure advertising a thrift store. Yet a sign with an AR-15 and the words "Unserialized. No Registration. Legal." which has been grandfathered in, received notice demanding its removal.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/images/Proof-not-coding.jpg
3.11.14 Court Orders - Temporary Restraining
Order: (1) Granting Temporary Restraining
Order: (2) Setting Briefing Schedule; and
Order: (3) Ordering Preliminary Injunction Hearing
Ares Armor seeks to restrain the ATF from seizing the Ares Armor Customer List and Approximately $300,000 in inventory at 11AM on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.
http://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/images/TRO%20ORDER%201_Page_1.jpghttp://aresarmor.com/store/media/ecom/images/TRO%20ORDER%201_Page_2.jpg
3.12.14 Declaration of CEO at Ares Armor
In regards to the events surrounding Ares Armor’s interaction with EP Armory’s products and the threats made towards Ares Armor by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE.) The following declarations are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
http://aresarmor.com/store/NewsArticle/Temporary_Restraining_Order_Against_BATFE
3.13.14 FOX 5: Gun Store Owner Files Injunction Halting Federal Raid
A possible federal raid on a gun store in San Diego was stalled after a lawsuit was filed, a lawyer said Wednesday.
http://video.fox5sandiego.com/Gun-Store-Owner-Files-Injunction-Halting-ATF-Raid-25708847?ndn.trackingGroup=91059&ndn.siteSection=kswb_onthemoney&ndn.videoId=25708847&freewheel=91059&sitesection=kswb_onthemoney&vid=25708847
3.15.14 ATF Violates Restraining Order, Seizes Ares Armor's Computers and Customer Lists
Despite a Temporary Restraining Order that ordered the BATFE to hold off on any action depriving Ares Armor of their computers and customer data, BATFE has executed a search warrant according to Ares Armor's Chief Operating Officer.
http://easybakegunclub.com/news/4811/ATF-Violates-Restraining-Order%2C-Siezes-Ares-Armors.html#.UyVTNYXN7FZ
https://www.facebook.com/AresArmor
Personally, I find this disgusting and absolutely unacceptable. This company has proved that they are violating no laws, and the way they're being treated should bother anyone that holds their Privacy, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Amendments, and the rights of the people dear at heart. I'll be calling them tomorrow and asking them if there's anything anyone can do to help directly.
This isn't a "California" problem either. Yes, California isn't known for its love of gun rights, but the BATFE isn't restricted to California. If you're on those lists, you bet your ass you can expect a nice knock(down) of your door in the near future.