Some of you may be wondering why we decided to move, but planned so poorly as to be “in-beween” locations for two weeks. Well, that’s because we didn’t plan it at all – this was not our choice.
Five years ago when we started looking for our first location we did so with absolute transparency. We had to make certain that we would have no issues operating a firearms business, namely because the ATF was going to call our landlords and the Town of Norwalk directly and make sure that we were allowed to operate there, otherwise we wouldn’t be approved for our Federal Firearms License. So we cleared our business plans with everyone possible at 40 Richards Ave from every head at Regus to the owner of the building, absolutely everyone gave us the green light. So, we moved forward, the ATF confirmed everyones approval and we operated peacefully at 40 Richards Ave, #344 for over 4 years.
A Regus work environment can be quite transient, we saw many people come and go over the years and never once had an issue – until we did. Late last year our receptionist, who has become a good friend, let us know that a new tenant on the floor absolutely detested our type of business and had filed a complaint. But the complaint was fabricated and quickly dismissed. Again, we have been there for over 4 years, been very discreet, have made friends, have never caused any issues and have a great track record. This guy was new and already lying. We later found out that any boxes we put out for recycling, he was going through to try to get something incriminating on us. What this man lacked in dignity, he made up for in persistence. He kept complaining, going higher and higher in the ranks of Regus management. Finally, on April 29th we received an email from a brand new manager for the Southern CT Regus Business Centers letting us know that she had received a complaint. Within hours we were told that they no longer felt they could allow us to operate there and gave us 60 days to leave.
At first, we were in shock. We had just celebrated Blue Cord’s 5th Anniversary and things were going great, better than ever actually. We just couldn’t believe that this had happened, was happening, is happening. In the most basic terms, Blue Cord Firearms is our sole source of income. How were we going to pay our bills, kids summer camp, groceries? This was absolutely terrifying.
The Area Manager at Regus got wind of what happened, called to apologize for how this was handled and put us in touch with the realtors used by Regus. She even called the realtors directly and asked that they take us on as clients. This was an absolute god send. Penny & Aga from Saugatuck Commercial Real Estate have been working tirelessly with us 7-days a week for the last 2 months trying to get us into a location that not only works for us, but where the landlord is ok with us selling firearms. This process has been stressful and long, but we are getting VERY close to having a lease in hand. Once we have a lease signed we can apply for our updated FFL, which will take at least 2 weeks.
I felt strongly that our customers deserved to know why things are unfolding like they are. I really hope that we are not inconveniencing too may people, so far everyone seems incredibly understanding and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. Bobby and I have never been through a more challenging time as a couple, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we know the finish line is near.
Thank you for reading my emails. Thank you for your understanding and kind words. Thank you for being our customer!
For anyone asking the new location is in Norwalk, but Bobby won’t let me tell anyone the address until we have signed the lease. Please keep your fingers crossed for us.
I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July!
All the best,
Laurie
With Election Day 2018 behind us I’ve been asked several times about what the results mean. This is not an easy question to answer when you consider the vast difference in the national versus local results and their implied ramifications.
Nationally, the Democrats gained control of the United States House of Representatives. They gained at least 23 seats and potentially more with a few races yet to be called. This has a few likely outcomes. Gun legislation will, in all likelihood, be passed in the lower body. Rest assured every time there is shooting a Democrat will be stepping over the dead to call for gun control legislation in the House. We should expect proposed legislation to include a renewed “modern sporting rifle” bans, magazine limits, universal background checks, liability insurance requirements for gun owners and a reversal of the ban on the use of public funds to study “gun violence”.
Thankfully, the blue wave wasn’t much of one, and it broke up on the red wall that is the United States Senate. The GOP increased the majority to a potential 54-46, given a win in Florida by former governor Rick Scott who is in a recount. The Kavanaugh confirmation had an affect on red state Democrat Senators. 3 of the 4 red state Democrat’s voted against Kavanaugh, all 3 were unseated by Republicans. The only one to keep their seat was the only one to vote for Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
What does that mean for gun owners? Any legislation passed by the House must also be passed by the Senate. With a solid Republican majority in the Senate that won’t happen. Also, Republicans control the Executive branch. President Trump would likely veto any such legislation if it were to pass both houses. With a solid majority in the upper house comes the ability to keep appointing federal judges and possibly one or two more Supreme Court Justices. With Justice Ginsburg and Justice Breyer in their 80’s the likely hood of having to replace at least one of them is high. The result of this would be to preserve the Second Amendment for at least another generation.
Nationally, the 2018 mid-term elections did not do much for the ant-gun crowd.
The problem lies right here in the State of Connecticut . The 2018 midterm elections were a disaster for gun owners and second amendment supporters in the “Constitution State”. The Democrats already held a solid majority in the Connecticut House, which increased on Tuesday to a 92-59 majority. The Democrats also increased their hold on the Connecticut Senate. In what was a 18-18 advantage for the Democrats (an actual 19-18 advantage with the tie breaking vote going to the Democrat Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman) to a potential 24-12 majority.
This opens the door for all sorts of issues for Connecticut Second Amendment supporters. We should be prepared to see new gun control legislation as soon as this winter when the new legislative session begins on January 9, 2019. Things such as raising the price to obtain the permit, requiring liability insurance for gun owners, an “approved” gun list or an out right ban on some firearms types.
Nationally, the second amendment is protected from further infringements by the left by Republican control of the Senate and with a Republican President. At a state and local level the second amendment could be under fire from the left as a result the Connecticut statewide elections. Frankly, the gun crowd got their ass kicked on Tuesday November 6th.
Bobby
One of the many projects Blue Cord Firearms has been working on, over the time I haven’t been blogging, is a class to teach you the legal use of firearms in a self-defense situation. Specifically for the State of Connecticut. Essentially, what is the legal way to use a deadly weapon in the defense of a person or a third person in Connecticut. We launched our CT Use of Force Law class in April of this year.
Very recently there has been a case involving this exact subject here in Norwalk. On Monday July 2, 2018 Jeffrey Sumpter, 21, of Bridgeport was convicted of 1st Degree Assault, a felony, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Mr. Sumpter had stabbed one of the THREE men who had attacked and were beating him at a Norwalk Dunkin Donuts.
His sentence was mandated by law. In Connecticut it is illegal to use deadly force against another with out attempting to retreat from the situation. It may only be used after that retreat has been tried and has failed. Although the Judge stated that he believed Mr. Sumpter’s version of the story he was bound by law to convict him of 1st Degree Assault. Now Mr. Sumpter will spend the next 18 months in prison and 42 total months under the supervision of the state penal system.
If you carry a firearm in self defense in the State of Connecticut and do not know what the laws are then you could end up like Mr. Sumpter. Not knowing what is legal to do and what is not legal to do could end up with you in jail. There a lot of misconceptions out there on the legality of the use of deadly force. Knowledge is power. Take our Use of Force Laws Class for $75 and gain some knowledge. It may keep you out of prison.
Register for our CT Use of Force Law Class Today!
It’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog post. Almost 3 years and a lot has changed in that time. We’ve moved location from Fairfield to Norwalk. Blue Cord Firearms has expanded in many ways. The addition of several classes like Drawing from a Holster, Connecticut Use of Force Law and our Long Gun Training Course. We have our Federal Firearms License and sell and transfer firearms, as well as ammunition.
One of the biggest changes we have had here at Blue Cord Firearms is that I am now full time with the business. No more traveling all over the North East working as a construction foreman. I am now able to devote all of my time to BCF.
In the months and weeks ahead I will be writing more about guns, gun culture and gun politics. We may go off the rails at times and talk about unrelated topics. We are also going to be filming some videos, to include gun reviews, range etiquette tips, and shooting tips.
My hope is that this blog, along with the videos, will become our students go to place to learn and get questions answered. If we have worked with you in the past then we look forward to seeing you again. If not, we look forward to working with you soon.
Bobby
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2014
CONTACT
LAURIE CARR
203-923-2936
info@bluecordfirearms.com
BLUE CORD FIREARMS ANNOUNCES APPROVAL FOR FIREARMS INSTRUCTION IN CHENANGO COUNTY, NY
Concealed Carry Class will be added to course listing and Chenango County Residents may now register for our NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.
Blue Cord Firearms is pleased to announce that Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr has added Robert Carr to their Approved Instructor List. Robert will begin hosting classes for Chenango County Residents in the coming weeks.
Robert is an Iraq War Combat Veteran. During his deployment to Baghdad, Iraq SGT Carr went on over 500 combat missions. In addition, Robert is a fully qualified U.S. Army Range Safety Officer and has been the Non Commissioned Officer In Charge of multiple military qualifying ranges, training countless soldiers in the use of various weapons systems. Robert is fully certified and insured.Years of experience and a gift for teaching others make Robert an ideal instructor for Firearms Training. We are pleased to be able to offer the Residents of Chenango County the opportunity to not only meet the requirements for obtaining a Restricted or Unrestricted Pistol Permit in Chenango County, but also learn from an incredible teacher who will make sure each student leaves feeling comfortable with the responsibility that goes along with Concealed Carry.
To sign up for a class in your area, please contact info@bluecordfirearms.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 7, 2015
CONTACT
LAURIE CARR
203-923-2936
info@bluecordfirearms.com
BLUE CORD FIREARMS ANNOUNCES BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ACCREDITATION
Blue Cord Firearms is pleased to announce accreditation by the Better Business Bureau.
After a thorough review of Blue Cord Firearms, taking into consideration several factors, including customer feedback and length of time in business, the Better Business Bureau has awarded Blue Cord Firearms with an A- rating. The only thing standing between Blue Cord Firearms and an A+ rating, is length of time in business. Having just surpassed the one year mark, Blue Cord Firearms is considered is new business.
Robert Carr, owner & instructor of BCF, had this to say “We are very proud to have earned the Better Business accreditation. Their stamp of approval is very much in line with the foundation of our business: hard work, integrity and top-notch customer service. We look forward to being in business long enough to change the A- to an A+.”
Robert is an Iraq War Combat Veteran. During his deployment to Baghdad, Iraq SGT Carr went on over 500 combat missions. In addition, Robert is a fully qualified U.S. Army Range Safety Officer and has been the Non Commissioned Officer In Charge of multiple military qualifying ranges, training countless soldiers in the use of various weapons systems. Robert is fully certified and insured.Years of experience and a gift for teaching others make Robert an ideal instructor for Firearms Training.
To sign up for a class in your area, please contact info@bluecordfirearms.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2014
CONTACT
LAURIE CARR
203-923-2936
info@bluecordfirearms.com
BLUE CORD FIREARMS ANNOUNCES ROBERT CARR WILL BEGIN TEACHING UTAH PISTOL PERMIT CLASSES
Blue Cord Firearms is pleased to announce that Robert Carr has received teaching certification for the much sought after Utah Pistol Permit Course.
The State of Utah has formal reciprocity or recognition with over 30 other states. The Utah Pistol Permit is available to non-residents who complete the Utah Pistol Permit Course. The permit is valid for 5 years and is easily renewed.
Robert will kick off August with our first Utah Pistol Permit Class in his hometown of Cincinnatus, NY. Classes for our Connecticut students will begin on Sunday August 10th and will be available every weekend.
Robert is an Iraq War Combat Veteran. During his deployment to Baghdad, Iraq SGT Carr went on over 500 combat missions. In addition, Robert is a fully qualified U.S. Army Range Safety Officer and has been the Non Commissioned Officer In Charge of multiple military qualifying ranges, training countless soldiers in the use of various weapons systems. Robert is fully certified and insured. Years of experience and a gift for teaching others make Robert an ideal instructor for Firearms Training.
To sign up for a class in your area, please contact info@bluecordfirearms.com.
While adults take sides on the propriety and safety of firearms, competitive marksmanship is a growing draw for children and teens who find satisfaction in the discipline a bull’s-eye requires.
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