Just because you can doesn’t mean you should is an old saying that is usually associated with a person or entity about to make a stupid decision that could have some serious repercussions. Apparently, Benchmade may not have gotten the memo. Though it cant be found on the Oregon City PD’S Facebook or Instagram page a post originating from July 1, 2018 found its way onto social showing workers from Benchmade destroying firearms for the Oregon City PD using an angle grinder with the caption, “Thank you Benchmade Knife Company for assisting us today by cutting up guns that were ready to be destroyed.” Both the PD and Benchmade could have came out on top if the PD auctioned off the firearms to law abiding gun owners and Benchmade could have very easily declined the request citing they were pro second amendment and support the constitution which would have probably encouraged their target audience to buy their product. But instead it seems both took the low road. As you can imagine a large percentage of benchmades customer base is abandoning ship and have stated they are going to spend their money elsewhere.
Many theories have come through the comment section as to why the guns had to be destroyed. Many believe that they may be evidence in cases that have been adjudicated and are required by law to be destroyed while others believe they may have been a part of a gun buy back program or even firearms turned in during the Oneless movement that occurred shortly after parkland!
Many firearms pages have contacted both Benchmade and Oregon PD trying to find answers.
However, answers did eventually appear on both pages. Both Bench Made and the Oregon Police Department have released a statement concerning the post on social media and they do support the theory of some users that the weapons evidence in cases that required them to be destroyed and the other theory that they were gun buyback items or weapons belonging to those who wished them to be destroyed also appears to be true. Either way Benchmades decision to aide in the destruction of firearms is still not looking like it was a good idea.
It just goes to show just because you can doesn’t mean you should and if you really claim to be pro second amendment you would have told them to look elsewhere. We’ll let you all be the judge. What are your thoughts? Was Benchmade aware that some of the weapons being destroyed could have been gun buyback items or weapons that were a part of the oneless movement that took place shortly after the parkland shooting? Let us know in the comments.
Fun fact According to FBI: UCR Table 12, there were approximately 374 people shot and killed with rifles of any kind. There were 1,604 people killed with “knives or cutting instruments.”
