The main reason people get FFLs is to sell guns. The reason people get licenses to manufacture guns is so they can make guns to sell. These, however, aren't the totality of reasons people get these licenses.
And the Violence Policy Center hates it.
To be sure, getting an FFL, either as a dealer or a manufacturer--and I'm not getting into which license for which--isn't a particularly quick and easy process, but if you're someone who likes to make guns and you might want to sell one, getting a manufacturer's license means you're not going to get arrested for it. If you're someone who likes to buy a lot of guns, or if you're a gun reviewer, having an FFL so guns can be shipped to your home can make sense.
But the Violence Policy Center sees this as a massive problem, as was clear from a post they put on X on Tuesday.
To learn more about the hundreds of "hidden" gun manufacturers across Michigan, check out the VPC's new study at https://t.co/KmO4uuXZ7N. #violencepolicycenter #gunviolenceprevention pic.twitter.com/NYc6oYkjmW
— Violence Policy Center (@VPCinfo) May 6, 2025
This focuses on manufacturers' licenses or the Type 07.
However, it's bat-quano insane hysterics.
Yes, a lot of people who have these licenses make no firearms. So what? Actually making guns isn't a requirement for the licensing. Yes, it allows people to avoid having to go through a background check when they buy a gun, but that's because they've already gone through a background check and are still good to go.
There's nothing shady going on here.
Some of these people might want to make guns and are, they're just keeping them and want to make sure they don't run afoul of any future gun control laws. Others are perfecting designs that they might want to make for sale. Still others are just hedging their bets for some other plans.
None of it matters, though, because criminals aren't getting gun licenses.
And these "hidden" gun manufacturers? They're so hidden that the Violence Policy Center created a map.
— Violence Policy Center (@VPCinfo) May 6, 2025
Yeah, that's super hidden.
They're so sneaky that you could create a map with the information available to the public. Absolutely brilliant.
And they wonder why we don't take them seriously.
Here's the funny thing to me, though.
Groups like this want us all to have to get licenses just to own guns. They push for these laws in every state in the nation except those that already have them.
Well, these guys in Michigan have already voluntarily gotten a license to buy guns. It's one the feds monitor and it opens them up to ATF inspections. One transgression and the license is revoked. They have to provide a record of what guns they buy, any they sell--and face-to-face transfers are a no-no for these guys--and have to make that available to the ATF on demand.
They did everything anti-gun groups could ask for, and yet that's a problem? Why? Because they don't make guns?
It really is evidence of what we constantly say, that anti-gunners really just don't want people to have guns at all, despite their protestations to the contrary. These aren't criminals. They're vetted by the federal government to be completely above board. The Violence Policy Center simply doesn't like that anyone can buy guns at all.
They might claim that's not the problem, but what else could it be?
Well, there's also the strong possibility that the people running these organizations are mentally disabled enough to qualify for special parking and should probably have to wear a helmet when they go out in public. That is most definitely on the table and it isn't mutually exclusive with anything else I've said.
