It’s actually a bit more complicated than that, and the TMZ link doesn’t exactly explain much. Here’s the story of how Red Jacket Firearms, the shop from Discovery Channel’s Sons of Guns show lost (and regained) their FFL license.
In 2009, the ATF does a routine check of the shop, and lo and behold their books say that they have some guns that they don’t actually have. That’s generally a no-no. Now, from Arfcom and other sources we find that Red Jacket Firearms LLC, the actual legal entity featured in the show was founded in 2010 by some of the gunsmiths featured as “employees” on Sons of Guns. Those employees were the legal business owners and the licensed persons responsible for maintaining the shop’s FFL and keeping the shop in compliance with federal regulations. Will, the “star” of Sons of Guns is/was an employee of Red Jacket Firearms LLC as is his daughter.
Will losing his FFL actually happened before the show premiered; the business entity that was presented to the viewing public by Discover as Will Hayden’s business actually was the LLC that was jointly owned by several of his “employees.” The reason this is all coming to light right now? Vince decided to leave Red Jacket and start his own company.
Sons of guns: Now with extra drama!
I can’t wait for Heidi Montag to waltz through their door looking for a double-barrelled suppressed short-barrelled full-auto Saiga.
Actually, yes, I can wait. Quite a long time…
Honestly, my favorite part about all of this is that the TMZ article makes no sense whatsoever if you don’t understand how federal firearms laws work. I can’t imagine that most of TMZ’s audience gets it at all.
Hey, I’m just happy that the lamest of lamestream media is covering a *gun* show.
We’re not only winning, we’re racking up the score.
Not just in the lead, we’ve lapped them.
Just another example of TV production trying to pull the wool over the public’s eyes all for ratings and $$$
I wonder who the lead investor in Vince’s business is going to be, if it is more than a TV stunt… Maybe Discovery invests in a spin off? Who knows, mabye we get to see alot of good names/things ruined by the Discovery Channel and another one of their old man with the established company vs yougster strikes out on his own…
I got all the faith in the world in Vince and his talents amaze me, I just hope he doesn’t wind up with the mojority of his new shop being all about what DC wants it to be…
Sons of Guns is a silly but entertaining show.
Particularly these gems of TV magic…
http://tinyurl.com/3tblgr8
What??? Are you saying that this show is NOT REAL??
To the best of my information and belief, after reasonable inquiry, this is the first time I have ever clicked on a TMZ link. Now I’m off to follow the Kardashians, and other news of importance. Ugh, wait, check that. I’m off to take a shower.
Don’t quite get why everyone is so overjoyed and excited at the prospect of seeing RJ fail.
Pack mentality. The leader of a pack is a target. We are just animals. Anyway: This happens with restaurants and bars too. Owner loses liquor licence. week later bar reopens with the bartender listed as owner. The $ to keep it going is still the same person. The licence holder on record is not how the 4 is divided or what is used to ‘open’ the place. The business gets caught up in some ordinance malarky that has noting to do with criminal intent, and the entire life work and career of someone is at stake because some ass bureaucrat caught them in some technical issue. ATF does it all the time. That is the way the game is played. don’t like it kill the ATF or don’t look. Good ppl have to do this all the time. Talk to someone in food service that has had to deal with a power mad health inspector. They can tell you horror stories.
I’m not overjoyed, I’m not unjoyed (and if that’s not a word, it is now). I watched the first few episodes, but soon got turned off. If anything, this shows what a PITA it is to own a gun shop, even a gun shop that ISN’T helping the BATFE run guns into Mexico.
I just read the thread (all 11 pages) at Arfdotcom. Lots of crap about the people involved, not the substance of the allegations. I don’t think anyone knows the truth yet.
One thing that gets me about all of this–Jerry Miculek was on the show with his wife. If the quality of their production guns (not the ones featured on the show–they apparently have two separate shops) is as bad as everyone alleges, would he have appeared on the show with his rifle–the one RJF built? I kinda doubt it.
I watch the show pretty regularly, mostly because I think it’s amusing to see them overreact about the stuff they’re building (I’m not a gunsmith, and I don’t play one on TV; but I think I could probably build most of the stuff they’ve done.) and how dangerous/awesome it is. I suppose to people who are underexposed to firearms it is.
I found the posts over at Arf to be a lot of the same stuff that led me to stop reading the forum past the “how to” section. It has become a haven for some of the lowest common denominator types over the years.
It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Wonder if there’s going to be an “American Chopper: Junior vs. Senior” version of “Sons of Guns” coming out? You know how the TewWee Industry works, Caleb. Oh well, try and Have a Merry Christmas!
*ding*
That’s exactly what went through my mind, too. Drama sells, and more drama = more viewers = more ad money.
If only they’d let gun ads show up on a show about guns.
So what?
Wow, I used to lurk on arfcom a long time ago seeking information. It’s sad to see that it has devolved so completely into a mysoginistic cesspool where children apparently run the show and any real men who dare pipe up are immediately derided and shown the door. I’d hate to think what they would say if an actual woman showed up.
…and most people’s beef with SOG is how they make the gun industry look bad??!! Arfcom, you disappoint me yet again. How does a gun forum on THAT side of the Internet gain so many members? My faith in my fellow gun owner has been shaken after reading that train wreck. After that thread I barely care what happens at Red Jacket anymore.
i dont know one thing tv is what it is just tv. like everything else in this world u dont know whats real or fake anymore i watch it.cause thers not much on tv thats real just like hard core pawn how much is that real prob none of it .
I think that anytime new people can be exposed to guns and our 2nd Amendment rights, via TV or anywhere else it’s a good thing.
I’m glad Vince left… I wouldn’t take the crap he was taking either… I guess ya gotta be banging the “owners” daughter to get anywhere
Or gest think you are to good to be part of the team.No I in team Gust like asshole Vince.He is no team player.Good by cry Baby Vince
IMHO Vince is a pompous ass. He is disrespectful, conceited, and not a team player. I can’t believe they put up with him as long as they did. Why do some of you like the guy? He isn’t that smart. I guess he is a good mechanic but he is a real dick with no personality. It sucks that DC could make a Jr vs Sr type thing out of it. I am sick of Vince and glad he is gone. I know its just a show but so what.
BTW – I saw Kris drop that buffer and I almost remember the camera following it. Weird. I like Kris and he has a good heart. I wish them well.