Just Some Information Regarding Purchase of Franchi/Benelli Firearms

[Dobeman887]

I am writing this to make those of you aware that currently own/intend to purchase a Franchi or Benelli firearm that should you need warranty work done, and you live in the following states, they will only accept a firearm shipped to them via FFL: PA, NJ, CT, IL. I can't speak for anyone living in PA, NJ, or CT, but I live in Illinois and there is no law that says we have to ship a firearm we own via FFL to the manufacturer for warranty work. I have shipped a number of firearms in the past (long guns) to the manufacturer for warranty work via USPS myself. I am really getting tired of various companies not knowing different state laws. I don't appreciate various gun laws we have in the state of IL, but manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies, etc need to really pay attention in order to benefit their customers. I ran into a similar problem about a year ago when purchases 50 caliber bullets for reloading. Optics Planet refused to ship me 50 caliber pistol bullets because they said 50 caliber bullets were illegal in the state of Illinois. That of course is not true, only 50 caliber bullets used for loading in the 50 BMG are illegal in our state. And think about 50 caliber muzzleloader bullets, is Optics Planet not selling those in IL either?? I know this sounds like a rant, but it is to warn those of you in states such as my own that certain companies are not very willing to help the paying customer out. I will never purchase another firearm from Franchi/Benelli again. Between the cost of shipping and using an FFL to do it, I will be paying right around $100. And as a side note, the customer service rep that I spoke with at Benelli/Franchi was not very understanding- it was simply, "this is how we do business, take it or leave it". They just lost a potential future customer, and if this post has any effect then they will lose a few more.

 

[ND1612]

Seems like more of an Illinois problem than a Benelli problem. If I ran those companies I would fully support stopping sales and service shipments without an FFL to those states. Regardless of whether it's law or not, states like IL, CA, NY are way too likely to try to make an example out of a company like Benelli that "followed the law" and shipped a serviced shotgun back to the owner, that somehow got intercepted after it left the carriers hands and used in a crime. Lawfare against things they don't like is a very real tactic of state governments like that, and it's far less hassle to just avoid those opportunities for them altogether.

 

[svivian]

Its easier to make a general rule for them to follow then try to figure out and keep track of every single silly law that some of these states are putting out. Why risk it to then potentially get in trouble, especially by states that want to blame everyone but the actual crime committers.

Like said above, sounds like an Illinois problem not a Benelli problem

 

[Dobeman887]

That is not the law however. I guess that is your opinion guys, but they are not "following the law". They are simply choosing to discriminate against customers living in non-gun friendly states. I think there should be disclaimers of some kind when purchasing a firearm that if warranty work is needed then you will be spending extra if you live in certain states.

 

[ND1612]

Pretty much everything Illinois stands for discriminates against law abiding gun owners. It shouldn't be a surprise that companies are reluctant to do business in those states when your state government actively supresses your constitutional rights and any companies that participate in that space.

Edit

I guess my point isn't to belittle your concern because as a gun owner that needs service done it's an inconvenience for sure. But maybe the anger is a bit misplaced by pointing at Benelli being the problem and not the state of Illinois...