Tucson gun store Diamondback Police Supply found out how to beat the Mark Kelly's anti-assault-rifle publicity stunt -- an anti-anti-assault-rifle publicity stunt.
Kelly bought the rifle, claiming that he was just experiencing the process of buying one, but now the gun shop says it's actually not going to give it to Kelly, since Kelly claimed he was going to turn over the firearm to Tucson PD once he acquired it.
See also:
-Gabrielle Giffords' Husband Mark Kelly Bought an AR-15 Rifle
"While I support and respect Mark Kelly's 2nd Amendment rights to purchase, possess, and use firearms in a safe and responsible manner, his recent statements to the media made it clear that his intent in purchasing the Sig Sauer M400 5.56mm rifle from us was for reasons other then [sic] for his personal use," Diamondback Police Supply owner Douglas MacKinlay says on Facebook. "In light of this fact, I determined that it was in my company's best interest to terminate this transaction prior to his returning to my store to complete the Federal Form 4473 and NICS background check required of Mr. Kelly before he could take possession this firearm. A full refund was sent to Mr. Kelly, via express mail, on Thursday of last week."
If that wasn't clear evidence of a publicity stunt, here's the rest of the statement:
"The Sig Sauer rifle will be donated to the Arizona Tactical Officers Association, where it will be raffled off to generate funds the association can use to purchase much needed tactical equipment for the organization's members. The A.T.O.A. represents the SWAT and special-response officers of the state's law enforcement community, who regularly place their lives on the line to protect the residents of this state.
Additionally, Diamondback Police Supply will make a $1,295 contribution (the selling price of the M400 rifle) to the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, which teaches children, in pre-K through third grade four important steps to take if they find a gun. The emphasis of the program is on child safety, something that is important to all of us and at the core of the current debate on gun control."
Now, a guy who wants to show he doesn't like gun-control measures is, in fact, preventing someone from getting a gun, while the guy who was trying to show that it's so easy to get an assault rifle doesn't get an assault rifle.
Hmph.
