Germany halts exportation license of arms manufacturer after discovery in Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Colombia Reports

Germany halts exportation license of arms manufacturer after discovery in Colombia
Jul 14, 2014 posted by Daniel Medendorp Escobar

Germany has temporarily revoked the exportation license of arms manufacturer SIG Sauer, amid suspicions that the company sold arms illegally to Colombia, according to media reports.

Recently, it was revealed that as many as 65,000 Sauer pistols made their ways into the hands of Colombian National Police forces, despite German sanctions prohibiting the sale of arms to Colombia and other countries whose security forces have similarly poor human rights records.

Although the arms in question may have been sold through SIG Sauer’s sister company in the United States, the fact that they are German-made opens the door for sanctions from the German government, according to the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung.

~snip~
History of the weapons in Colombia

While that would prohibit German arms dealers from doing business with the Colombian state, the German government had allowed the export of SIG Sauer weapons to the United States on the condition that the US Department of Defense not resell them. Now, allegations are circulating that the US government did precisely that, after a German-manufactured SP 2022 pistol was found in the hands of a young Colombian police officer in May. Since then, almost 65,000 similar weapons have been discovered within the National Police.

Read more: http://colombiareports.co/germany-halts-exportation-license-arms-manufacturer-arms-found-colombia/

[hack89]

1. The vast majority were made in New Hampshire

The US DoD recently announced a 3-year, firm-fixed-price $353.7 million contract to Sig Sauer, Inc. in Exeter, NH. This contract covers Sig Sauer’s P226 and P228 pistols, as well as contractor furnished spare parts. Work is to be performed in Exeter, NH, and the contract will run until April 25/12. One bid was solicited, with one bid received.

June 9/09: Another 43,371 of SIG’s SP2022 pistols to Colombia, plus spare parts packages. Total value is $20.3 million (W52H09-09-D-0158, #0002 external link). To be delivered between February 2011 and May 2012.

April 23/09: 55,890 of the polymer-framed SP2022 external link 9mm pistols to Colombia at $439 each, plus spares. Total value is $26.2 million (W52H09-09-D-0158, #0001 external link). To be delivered between July 2009 and February 2011

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/9mm-SIGs-for-the-World-2009-2012-05784/

[Bacchus4.0]

7. yeah, and that article is from 2009 and specifically says weapons are for Colombia

The Germans are just finding out now?

[Fred Sanders]

2. So America resold some guns from Germany, illegally? Does America have a shortage of guns?

[Judi Lynn]

3. Maybe all those guns are needed to hunt down leftists here. n/t

[EX500rider]

4. "So America resold some guns from German" No, sounds like they were made in the US...

[Judi Lynn]

5. Did you read the article? The company is German, regardless, subject to German laws.

From the very top of the article:

Germany has temporarily revoked the exportation license of arms manufacturer SIG Sauer, amid suspicions that the company sold arms illegally to Colombia, according to media reports.

Recently, it was revealed that as many as 65,000 Sauer pistols made their ways into the hands of Colombian National Police forces, despite German sanctions prohibiting the sale of arms to Colombia and other countries whose security forces have similarly poor human rights records.

Although the arms in question may have been sold through SIG Sauer’s sister company in the United States, the fact that they are German-made opens the door for sanctions from the German government, according to the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung.

[EX500rider]

6. Yes-i also read what Hack wrote and it seemed they were manufactured in Exeter, NH..

I didn't comment on German export laws.

[freshwest]

8. American gun manufacturers and the NRA win again! Can Germany revoke the license to make 'em here?

Nothing to do with our government. The article says they may have been made here. It's a dirty business.

The USA and many countries export guns all over the world. It's part of why the NRA was willing to allow changes in gun laws years ago, to secure foreign markets for American made guns.

Patrice really made the case on this last year. They sell guns to all sides, until it provokes a crisis so big the MIC gets to make money off a new, project.

It's not illegal to sell weapons to another government, no matter what we think of said government, unless we already have sanctions in place.

The government did not sell those guns, SIG did,because of laws relaxed years ago for American gun manufacturers.

Yes, it's still YUCKY.