We've got work to do! Opportunities, challenges and a commitment to the second amendment—these are foremost concerns of the executive Vice President & COO of Taurus International - An Interview With Bob Morrison

Shooting Industry, Feb, 2003

Opportunities, Challenges And A Commitment To The Second Amendment - These Are Foremost Concerns Of The Executive Vice President & COO Of Taurus International.

Bob Morrison is a major leader in the industry. Under his firm hand he has guided Taurus to new levels of prominence. Morrison also highly regarded as an unwavering, outspoken defender of the industry and the Second Amendment. In this recent interview, he relates his pride in the industry and issues a challenge to others to join in defending the business and our nation's freedoms.

SI: What do you see as the industry's challenges and opportunities in 2003?

Morrison: It's a new year with wonderful opportunities for the industry. There are equally great challenges. With the change in Congress, we have the chance to see meaningful tort reform passed this year, along with preemptive legislation to stop the rash of senseless lawsuits against this nation's industries.

There's plenty of work to be done, and it's important that we take advantage of the situation in the makeup of the Congress for the next two years. We may never have a more opportune time to create sensible laws that will protect all legally sold and manufactured products from the spate of reckless lawsuits and cruel misapplication of our judicial system.

We must convince our legislators to place roadblocks in the almost criminal misuse of American jurisprudence. It's important for our industry, for the protection of new targeted legal companies outside our industry, for our country and for future generations.

SI. How did you get involved in the firearms business?

Morrison: Like so many in our industry, my love for firearms goes back to my boyhood. I grew up hunting and fishing in the Midwest. It was a freer time and a tremendous opportunity to learn about the outdoors and our heritage. I used to take guns to school so I could go hunting as soon as the afternoon classes ended. No one asked about my carrying a Model 12 to seventh grade.

I wanted to be in the industry so much that I only sent out one resume when I left the Army. That was to Smith & Wesson. I asked if I could be one of their salesmen, or get involved with them in any way. After spending a few years with some distributors, I got the call. I worked for Smith & Wesson for a number of years before becoming one of their distributors. I then worked at Winchester for a short time before going to Colt where I was vice president for sales and marketing for nine years. I then worked at Bianchi, and then in my own rep group which lead me to Taurus.

SI: Some doubt that we are really in danger of losing our Constitutional freedoms? Do you really believe that?

During my 36-plus years in the firearms industry, my vision has changed. Initially, it was the excitement of just being part of it. Then it was the ability to provide for my young family while having the excitement of living a dream. I then slowly entered another phase when I noticed there were people carving away at the Second Amendment. It became unpopular to be a member of the firearm community and to have a love of hunting and firearms themselves.

Morrison: Yes. Most individuals fail to realize there are many people who go to work everyday with the sole purpose of taking away our freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. All the employees in the anti-gun movement, hundreds of them, are rewarded for initiating creative ways to deny us those rights. I never suspected I'd have an influence in this area, but as I gained position in the industry, I could see there was an opportunity to donate time and effort to fight those who would take away our freedoms.

We've been assaulted with questionable lawsuits from various associations of trial lawyers. Since anti-gun groups are unable to pass proper legislation, they are attacking our civil rights guaranteed not only by the Second Amendment but all of the amendments. They've resorted to a shoddy bypass of the legislative process to use lawsuits to achieve their self-serving objectives. Part of the process is to bleed us out financially. So, it doesn't seem to matter whether they lose all the suits, the enormity of the expense to us also comes into play.

SI: What can we do?

Morrison: We must stop these assaults that are ruining our industry, our freedoms and, literally, our way of life. I took an oath when I joined the Army to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. I continue to keep that oath. Everytime I appear before anti-industry litigators, I realize their sole purpose is to disarm us. I am not going to allow that to happen.

SI: These are historical times, then?

Morrison: History is a funny thing. If you have ever been in a history-making situation, it is difficult to gain the full perspective and the realization that the event in which you are involved is truly historical. Without the full perspective research being available, it is impossible to imagine that what you are immersed in has a pivotal role in history.

The fight we are involved in is history making, because of the enormity of the violation of our freedoms. This is a new type of guerilla war being waged in the courts across this land and there are precious few that have the knowledge, the sense of history or the will to stand up and fight back. Those who are fighting back are making history.