CLERALAKE— A reversal of a Biden administration policy aimed to level playing field toward foreign imports helped restore American competitiveness recently.
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-4th District) visited constituents in the city of Clearlake Monday informing them of successful lobbying of the administration that reversed a newly imposed tariff on firearm safes. Thompson appeared in the parking lot of Tractor Supply on Dam Road Monday.
Thompson is a member of the Congressional Gun Violence Task Force. He was alerted by the ranking Democratic Ways and Means subcommittee of a trade obstruction that hindered native commerce.
“We make an outstanding gun safe (Winchester, stocked by Tractor Supply),” Thompson told his audience Monday. “It’s a quality, entry level item but we got caught up in a tariff battle, because a Chinese firm was dumping a cheap metal locker in the U.S. market.”
Thompson initiated a letter circulation among 51-Congressional members to convince the administration to rescind the tariff Thursday (Sept. 7). Even following the letter, the policy remained until a flood of calls persuaded the administration to reverse course. The action will now permit the vital safety tool be vended at lower cost. “I want to thank the administration for seeing the problem and addressing it,” Thompson said. “It saves money, it will save lives and save heartache-and no one knows this better than law enforcement.”
Lake County Interim Sheriff Rob Howe, noted he was glad the problem’s resolution was expedited. Howe explained the most important part of gun safety is secure gun storage. “I know of cases of guns stolen during burglaries,” he reminded the audience. “I’ve always been a proponent of safe gun storage. Past cases have shown how stolen guns end up in the hands of criminals and unfortunately children gaining access to unsecured firearms. The thing is almost all of those scenarios are entirely preventable.”
Howe added that any effort made to make gun safes available by making them more affordable, law enforcement should be doing. City of Clearlake Chief of Police Timothy Hobbs echoed Howe saying, “it’s a good way to encourage responsible gun ownership.”
According to Everytown, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country which includes mayors, teachers, students and gun owners, last year there were 355 unintentional shootings by children in the United States, resulting in 158 fatalities and 212 injuries.
Marc Engrstrom, director of public policy of Ducks Unlimited, noted his organization is a valued partner among hunting enthusiasts. Engstron thanked Thompson for his support and reminded the audience that hunting is not an economical sport yet requires an investment. “Hunting is not a cheap sport, you have to put some investment into it,” Engstrom said. “Hunters are proud of the commitment they’ve made, and I want to thank Rep. Thompson for the initiative he made to provide gun safes to protect hunters’ investment, that I thought went from $500 to $900.”
City of Clearlake Mayor Russ Perdock called the tariff reversal an important piece of legislation. He explained he is a gun owner as well and secures his firearms in a safe at home. “It’s so important to keep our firearms safe,” Perdock said. “Safe guns at home are important when you have children at home and can help everybody keep the home safe. Thank you all for attending.”
