Benchmade Knife Company is under fire from multiple sides of its customer base after assisting the Oregon City Police in destroying confiscated firearms.
The police department posted photos and comments on its Facebook page Feb. 20 of long guns being prepared to be destroyed. In the photos an acetylene torch and cutting device were being used on rifles. Oregon City is the county seat of Clackamas County, Oregon, and near the southern limits of the Portland metropolitan area.
Benchmade immediately came under fire on the post and its Facebook page from knife owners, hunters, military and law enforcement personnel and other Second Amendment supporters. Commenters on Benchmade's Twitter, Instagram and Facebook platforms railed against the company, as did commenters on Reddit and hunting, knife, firearm and military chat sites.
This is the original Oregon City Police post, which has now been removed, that appeared Feb. 20 on Facebook:
That ignited the firestorm of comments on social media. These from Benchmade's Facebook page on an unrelated post are but just a few of the thousands:
Carl Burns I own a gunshop in Pennsylvania. I was between benchmade and spyderco for our next major stocking dealer purchase. I guess they made the decision for me. Never again will I buy a benchmade knife.
Shane Walsh Do you guys..... not understand who you sell knives to?
Walt Hauk 14 years mil, 20+ years LEO.
I have purchased, been issued and carried Benchmade knives and multitools exclusively.
Not another penny.
Fred Plowman All done. What a way to kill business.
Gregory L Heuston I'll hold off on "retiring" my Benchamde products until I see their response to the vid. You get one shot at this Benchmade. Make it good.
Joseph Wiemann Cutting up guns? Bad look guys...
Benchmade Responds
Benchmade responded on its social media platforms late Wednesday night with this statement:
Benchmade is aware of the recent post from our local Oregon City Police Department.
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We apologize for the confusion and concern that this post created. These were firearms that the Oregon City Police Department had to destroy in alignment with their policies. Oregon City Police requested the use of specialty equipment within the Benchmade facility to follow these requirements, and as a supporting partner of our local police force, we obliged the request.
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Benchmade is a proud and unwavering supporter of both law enforcement and Second Amendment rights. These are commitments that we do not take lightly and will continue to support well into the future.
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When asked for clarity from Oregon City Police Department, Chief Jim Band made the following statement: “When property is to be destroyed, it is the policy of the Oregon City Police Department to destroy property, including firearms, in accordance to our procedures and ORS. The Oregon City Police Department does not sell firearms.”
-Benchmade
That did little to quell the outcry, with more than 2,500 comments and 2,100 reactions made in seven hours overnight.
Update: Oregon City Police issued a statement late Wednesday night:
Good evening,
We understand some of our followers are upset with Benchmade knives because of a recent post we put out. The post did not give everyone the full story on why the guns were required to be destroyed.
We receive guns that are turned in from community members that they no longer want the guns and want them destroyed. We also have guns that are evidence and when a case is adjudicated the guns are ordered by the court to be destroyed.
These guns were required to be destroyed. We reached out to Benchmade to do us a favor at our request. Benchmade is a strong supporter of law enforcement and the Oregon City community. We were present when the guns were cut and we took them for final destruction.
We apologize for not informing everyone on the initial post. Benchmade is an excellent company and we urge everyone that had said they no longer support Benchmade to reconsider once they have all the information. Again, we apologize for not informing everyone with our recent post.
Respectfully,
Chief Jim Band and Mayor Dan Holladay
SSR will continue to follow the story and update if needed.
Featured image: Benchmade Knife Company
