Sometimes Your favorite Gun Maker Isn't Your Friend
When Gun Makers Betray Gun Owners: The Springfield Armory Controversy
How Springfield Armory Betrayed Illinois Gun Owners, What Happened, How They Were Caught, and Why We Should Remember
In 2017, a political scandal erupted in the Illinois gun rights community—and at the center of it was one of the most recognizable firearms manufacturers in the country: Springfield Armory.
For decades, Springfield Armory had positioned itself as a champion of American gun owners. Their marketing leaned heavily on patriotic imagery, their founder had resurrected the brand in the 1970s with respect for the legacy of the original U.S. military armory, and their products were staples in collections across the country. But behind the scenes, a different story was unfolding.
The Anti-Gun Dealer Licensing Bill
Illinois lawmakers were pushing Senate Bill 1657 (Dealer Licensing Act), which would have imposed strict state-level licensing requirements on all gun shops—adding additional layers of bureaucracy, fees, and compliance burdens that many small dealers couldn’t survive. It was a clear attempt to choke the firearms industry in Illinois from the retail end.
Gun rights advocates across the state opposed the bill, warning that it would destroy mom-and-pop gun stores, limit access to firearms, and erode Second Amendment rights.
Publicly, Springfield Armory and another major manufacturer, Rock River Arms, appeared to be on the side of the grassroots gun community. But the reality was very different…