“The export of some firearms has been temporarily suspended by the German federal government,” the National Shooting Sports Foundation reported in yesterday’s email blast. TTAG has learned that SIG SAUER is the sole German manufacturer concerned (thank you, Green Party). The kerfuffle surrounds exports to Colombia, another South American country where “seepage” of legally exported guns to cartels is an ongoing problem. SIGs not the first German gunmaker to run into this “straw purchaser” issue . . .

As we reported in November 2011, the German government raided H&K, when the Greens presented evidence that the cartels had used H&K fully-automatic firearms to commit heinous crimes. The German Republic’s investigation led to a temporary export ban. That problem was eventually ironed-out, as this one will be with SIG. The NSSF reports . . .

We have heard that good progress is being made in Germany to resolve the issue and that export licenses are being reinstated. However, the market availability of some German-made products in the United States is being affected and it may take some time for supply to return to normal. Dealers are advised both to be aware of this supply interruption and that they should see improvement early next year.

One wonders if the seepage issue will ever hit American shores. As we pointed out in 2011, after the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry exposed the ATF’s Fast & Furious gun running operation, more than 100k U.S.-made firearms have been illegally transferred from the Mexican military and police. A practice which continues unabated.