A correspondent contacted me the other day about this:
That didn't sound right, so I chased it down with U.S. Cavalry's PR guy, who told me she was mistaken, it was a requirement imposed by CamelBak, whose PR guy elected not to reply.
Funny thing: I noted Botach Tactical had no such requirement yesterday, but someone scrambled and added the caveat.
So I guess the bottom line is, CamelBak doesn't trust you with a backpack. Me, I'd remember that when they offer to trade what they do trust us with for dollars.
Stupid name for one anyway: "Urban Assault Concealment Pack."
Unless they're going to deploy it like Ruth Buzzi.
Fortunately, AFAIK, Maxpedition has no such restraints, and has exceptional quality packs at good prices.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Backpacks-c12.htm
Me, I'm just a customer..
The following query sent via Cavalry's online form (I may just drive up to Fort Knox and see if I can buy one):
ReplyDeletePlease advise me if you will or will not sell me the Camelback 'Urban Assault' BackPack. I understand you, or the manufacturer, have restricted it to military or law enforcement personnel. I'm military - I maintain a Retired status ID card, which I'm sure you know means I am still in the military and am still subject to recall and/or deployment. I wonder why, if this is a federally-regulated 'assault weapon', it has no means of inflicting deadly force? I also wonder if , as an 'assault weapon', it has auto-fire capability? If so, then I must ask if the manufacturer has not violated federal firearms laws, since manufacture and sale of such requires an FFL. Please advise, or if unable, please ask your supplier to answer. You might advise them, and your purchasing staff, to seek legal advice on the firearms violation ...
CamelBak and cooperating dealers will see no business from me...and thanks for suggested alternates.
ReplyDeleteRetailers the world over have been making a bundle adding "TACTICAL" to the description of their wares and this is just another escalation to catch the kids in the service or dumb cops stupid enough to overspend.
ReplyDeleteCan't make it on quality and/or price, just add tactical and bingo; out the door they go.
I can't blame the dealers for complying with CamelBak's requirements. It's a comply or loose distribution rights deal.
ReplyDeleteMy honest guess would be the backpack is subject to ITAR regulations and selling to military/LEO is how they attempt to enforce it. Problem is the grunt or LEO can still sell it to a non-citizen.
ReplyDeleteThey need to go the same route as La-Rue tactical, declare the item ITAR and issue a statement that you can not sell it to foreign nationals or non-citizens.
This is putting camel back on my !@#$list.
I watched the video and the CamelBack rep on the video says specifically that this is made for LEOs and CHL holders. Every other retailer I could find on the Internet had no such restrictions.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a screw-up from USCav not CamelBack.
It's a strange demand. Not every dealer is complying with CamelBak, or is it the US government.
ReplyDeleteCamelbak UAC
Pity, that would be a good way to carry while mountain biking. Back to the fanny pack, I suppose. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThis item is priced low compared with a lot of other Camelback items. I would guess the restriction on sales to civilians is because the item is listed as a GSA contract item for purchase at the low, low price of $139 to those allowed to buy off the GSA list, namely, LEO, military & government contractors.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pricing thing, not a security thing.
Well, by restricting it to military/police they have made this item ITAR controlled, i.e., specifically designed or modified for military use.
ReplyDeleteBut then they promote it for travel. Yet, one must have a license to move ITAR goods out of the country (or cite an exception)
I certainly hope they don't do something foolish like sell these to the Canadian Mounties
Except;
ReplyDeleteTITLE 18 U.S.C. § 701: U.S. Code – Section 701: Official badges, identification cards, other insignia.
“Whoever manufactures, sells or possesses any badge, identification card or other insignia of the design prescribed by the head of any department or agency of the United States for use by any officer or employee thereof, or any colorable imitation thereof, or photographs, prints, or in any other manner makes or executes any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the likeness of any such badge, identification card, or other insignia, or any colorable imitation thereof, except as authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.”
It's illegal to make copies of military or government ID, and you can not legally deny service because someone won't commit a crime.
Evidently someone realized that since this was posted--this is their new instruction:
ReplyDeleteThis item is available for purchase by personnel of the following (based on the above criteria):
Law Enforcement to include licensed Security Companies
Government to Include Federal and Military Branch Services
Civilian Government Contractors located in a War Zone (Requires proof of Government Contract)
Other (Based on End Use and may require approval from local Law Enforcement Agency.) (If you feel you have a valid requirement for this product we can review your request to see if we can allow the sale.) Please contact our customer service department at service@uscav.com for assistance or by phone at 800-777-7172.
To complete the verification process
Step 1 - Please make a photocopy of your credentials:
Military: a copy of your State Issued Drives License or Personal ID
Law Enforcement: a copy of your badge and Department issued ID
Private Security: a copy of your License and ID
Civilian Contractors: Copy of the first page of the Issued Government Contract and Company Issued picture ID, State Issued Drivers License or Personal ID
Step 2 - In an email or by fax include the following along with your photocopy information:
Your sales order confirmation number
For Military Purchase: List your (Active Duty Only) ID Card Number, Branch Name, Card Expiration Date and the email address (to end in ".mil") of your Commanding Officer*.
For all other Department or Company Purchases please include a contact name, email and phone number to verify your employment
Step 3 - E-mail to: service @ uscav.com or fax it to: 270.352.0266
*Per Title 18 U.S.C. § 701: U.s. Code – Section 701: Official badges, identification cards, other insignia in lieu of a photocopy of the Military ID, verification can be supplied by the military chain of command.
Note: Additional information may be required in order to comply with laws, rules and/or regulations regarding the product you are ordering. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
For a frickin' backpack.