June 13, 2022
By Mark Chesnut
Top-quality AR maker Adams Arms and several industry partners have worked together over the past few months to get much-needed arms into the hands of Ukrainian citizens to fight off the Russian invasion.
Adams Arms President Jason East said the ongoing effort, which began in March, has included six other influential industry companies in an effort to help the besieged country fight for its existence in the face of the continued attacks from Russian forces.
“We asked our contacts in Ukraine what was needed, and the answer was sniper rifles,” East said. “We worked with some of our most trusted industry partners to put together a package that would meet the immediate need. In conjunction with the NSSF and other industry contacts we learned that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense was the quickest way to get these firearms where they were needed most. The bottom line is, they asked and we acted.”
Incidentally, we’re not just talking about sending a handful of ARs to Ukraine. Since March, Adams Arms and partnering companies have sent several thousand fully equipped guns, along with optics and ammunition, to Ukrainian authorities for distribution to civilians fighting for freedom.
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“To date, Adams Arms has shipped more than 3,500 firearms to Ukraine since the conflict began, and more are in production to be sent,” East said. “These rifles are for civilians to protect their regions, homes and families against Russian aggression. We are staunch supporters of freedom, and when that is in jeopardy, we take that very personally whether here at home or abroad. We will continue to support the Ukrainian people as long as they require our help.”
Adams Arms was already involved in selling its firearms in Ukraine even before the Russian invasion, according to East.
“We have sold firearms and complete uppers to one exclusive dealer since 2018,” East said.
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“Over the last five years, Adams Arms has delivered more than 1,000 piston-driven, semi-automatic AR-15-style rifles into Ukraine for civilian use through an established business partner.”
The list of companies joining Adams Arms in the recent effort reads like a who’s-who of top firms in the firearms industry. They include Leupold & Stevens , which supplied the scopes/optics and mounts; PROOF Research , which donated the barrels; Rise Armament , which supplied the triggers for the rifles; Radian Weapons , which supplied the charging handles/safety selectors; Luth AR , which supplied the buttstocks; and Hornady ® Manufacturing, who donated ammunition for the rifles.
According to Adams Arms’ East, all had one goal in mind—helping the people of Ukraine retain their freedom.
“The Second Amendment provides all types of protections but was written to protect individual citizens against a tyrannical government,” East said. “That protection can apply to both domestic and foreign governments. We see some of ourselves in the Ukrainian people and their fight, and that is why we are so eager to help. Private companies can leverage less bureaucracy and red tape than government processes and often react more quickly, which is what you have seen from many private firearm companies in the US.
“These are going through one specific dealer who sells directly to the civilian public. Adams Arms has had a long-standing business relationship in Ukraine for several years. The Ukraine arms dealer is a legitimate registered foreign entity that is licensed by the U.S. State Department and the ATF to import firearms from the USA and serves as a wholesale arms dealer that has been selling to sporting goods stores and legitimate outlets. Adams Arms worked with the U.S. Department of Commerce and other business partners to put proper licensing and logistics into place to ensure firearms would arrive unmolested and in its entirety.”
East added that the company has been overwhelmed with people contacting them to find out how they can help and/or donate to the cause. He has a ready answer.
“We have had literally hundreds of people reach out to us asking about how they can help either through donating personal weapons or monetary donations,” he said. “We have given them avenues for both.
“Donations can be made directly to the Ukrainian National Bank’s Defense fund. In addition, Adams Arms has developed a special T-shirt design that commemorates the actions of the brave members of the Ukrainian Border Guard at Snake Island. The design features the Ukrainian Border Guard emblem surrounded by the now infamous phrase “Russian Warship, Go F%@K Yourself” in Ukrainian. On the back of the shirt is the Adams Arms logo altered with the Ukrainian colors. All proceeds from the sale of these shirts are going directly to the Ukrainian National Bank Defense fund.”
About the Author Freelance writer and editor Mark Chesnut is the owner/editorial director at Red Setter Communications LLC. An avid hunter, shooter and political observer, he has been covering Second Amendment issues and politics on a near-daily basis for the past 20 years.
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