Standing Strong for the Second Amendment: Why Attacks on the Firearms Industry Hurt Law-Abiding Citizens

There’s been a troubling uptick in anti-gun rhetoric, and the recent campaign by the Connecticut Attorney General is yet another example. With mainstream media praising the effort, the initiative titled “Connecticut AG Targets Gun Industry Bad Actors in Crackdown” was presented as an attack only on so-called “bad actors,” but anyone paying attention knows that these actions pose a broader threat to all gun owners and manufacturers—even the responsible ones.

The Real Agenda Behind the Headlines

As reported, Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong is amplifying a multi-state initiative designed to hold gun manufacturers and dealers accountable under the newly weaponized consumer protection laws. While this campaign claims to target “rogue” dealers and manufacturers, it has dangerous implications for the Second Amendment and sets a troubling precedent for lawful gun ownership rights across America.

Make no mistake—this isn’t just about curbing illegal firearms. It’s about creating legal loopholes that can be exploited to punish companies that make, sell, or promote firearms lawfully. This effort could open the floodgates for excessive litigation against gun manufacturers, even when they’ve complied with federal guidelines and regulations. The push to hold gun makers “accountable” for violent crime is misguided at best and malicious at worst.

Weaponizing Consumer Protection Laws

What’s troubling is that this initiative sidesteps federal protections like the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), a critical law enacted to protect gun dealers and manufacturers from being held responsible for crimes committed by others using legally-made and legally-sold firearms. Tong’s claim is that these companies are engaging in misleading marketing tactics, but the real issue here is a calculated assault on an industry the Left has been targeting for years.

By allowing state consumer protection laws to override federal law, this coordinated push among 20 Attorneys General has the potential to:

• Shut down small gun manufacturers who can’t afford legal defenses
• Intimidate gun dealers into reducing their inventory and marketing efforts
• Drive up costs for law-abiding gun owners

This is an attack not just on the industry but on the rights of millions of Americans who choose to legally own and train with firearms. Businesses that adhere to every single federal regulation should not have a legal target placed on their backs.

What This Means for South Carolina Gun Owners

Here at Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, we take firearms safety and responsibility seriously. Our mission is rooted in the belief that law-abiding citizens have the right—and the duty—to be trained, knowledgeable, and empowered. What starts in Connecticut today could very well end up in our backyard tomorrow.

As left-leaning states set new regulatory precedents, conservative states like South Carolina may end up facing indirect consequences:

• Higher costs on firearms and ammunition due to manufacturer liabilities
• Closure of small, local firearms dealers who can’t weather national legal storms
• Reduced access to training and responsible ownership opportunities

We must be vigilant. Our right to self-defense should not be a political bargaining chip. While the mainstream narrative, like the one surrounding “Connecticut AG Targets Gun Industry Bad Actors in Crackdown”, attempts to paint gun owners as extremist or dangerous, we know better. The overwhelming majority of gun owners in the U.S. take firearm ownership seriously—they get educated, they train, and they follow the law.

Gun Owners: Not the Problem, But the Solution

The anti-Second Amendment crowd often frames law-abiding gun owners as part of the problem, but let’s set the record straight. The rise in violent crime is not due to responsible citizens exercising their constitutional rights. In fact, we believe well-trained, law-abiding firearm owners are a key part of the solution.

At Fortress Firearms Training, we believe education, not legislation, is the answer. Through our certified training courses, we provide South Carolinians with the knowledge and confidence to handle firearms responsibly. Topics include:

• South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) training
• Basic handgun safety and fundamentals
• Defensive shooting and scenario-based training

If more citizens were empowered through training rather than restricted through excessive laws, crime would decrease—not the opposite. And yet, media and politicians continue to ignore the root causes of violence, blaming an industry that’s heavily regulated and already operating under federal scrutiny.

Don’t Let Connecticut Lead the Way

Despite their claims, movements like “Connecticut AG Targets Gun Industry Bad Actors in Crackdown” are not just localized or nominal. These actions create legal momentum that can ripple across the country. If left unchecked, those of us in freedom-loving states could find our rights chipped away, one lawsuit at a time.

This is the time for gun owners, educators, dealers, and manufacturers across the nation to stand united. It starts with being informed and involved. Join gun rights groups. Support pro-Second Amendment legislation. And most importantly, support responsible firearms training through organizations like Fortress Firearms Training.

We Train. We Teach. We Defend Freedom.

Here at Fortress Firearms Training, we know there’s a better way. Restrictive legislation and politically motivated legal attacks don’t make us safer—they just take rights away from people who need them the most. What does make us safer is a well-armed, well-trained, and well-informed public that takes its responsibilities as seriously as its rights.

When you train with Fortress Firearms Training, you’re not just acquiring skills. You’re standing up for liberty.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Be proactive. Get trained. Defend your rights. Visit www.fftcwp.org today to see how we can help you become a more confident, capable citizen.