A Florida gunmaker is sending 400 rifles to a NATO facility to help with Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion.
KelTec, based in Cocoa, Florida, decided to make the donation following a $200,000 order from a Ukrainian client that later went silent.
KelTec's donation of 400 rifles is a rare example of Americans successfully collecting guns in response to President Zelenskyy’s promise to arm his citizens.
Many grassroots efforts are underway but have been snarled by export regulations.https://t.co/1nHOMRLODG
— Joshua Goodman (@APjoshgoodman) March 18, 2022
Adrian Kellgren’s family-owned firearms business wanted to do something to help. In a video report with the Associated Press, Kellgren shared details regarding the decision to donate the rifles to Ukraine.
“The American people want to do something,” Kellgren said. “We enjoy our freedoms, we cherish those things. And when we see a group of people out there getting hammered like this, it’s heartbreaking.”
As the federal government debates how much and what types of military assistance to send, Kellgren’s company shows some Americans are working directly to assist Ukraine during its time of need.
One of the greatest challenges has become the logistics of shipping donated materials safely from the U.S. to those in Ukraine who need them. Kellgren’s company already worked internationally in the area and was able to connect with a government official in the nation to help with the process.
Other companies have not been as successful. A recent attempt to donate 400 bulletproof vests from New York ended with the items stolen before they could be shipped.
The theft took place at the offices of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America on Second Avenue in Manhattan last week.
“The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office on Long Island said it worked with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America to donate 450 used, decommissioned vests, but could not confirm that the vests that were stolen were the ones it donated,” NBC News reported.
“It is despicable that someone would break into a building to steal supplies and materials intended to aid those affected by this humanitarian crisis,” Vicki DiStefano, a spokesperson for Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr., said in the report.
The direct donations of military equipment and weapons also come as many Americans become frustrated at the Biden administration’s efforts to assist Ukraine in repelling Russian forces.
A February 25 Rasmussen Reports poll showed 49% of likely American voters gave President Joe Biden a “poor” rating for his handling of Russian aggression toward Ukraine. A March 10 poll showed 57% of likely voters believe Biden could have done more to prevent the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Ukraine has asked for the ability to defend its skies and for more lethal drones — and the world does not respond. Why we do not provide more lethal drones, more advanced air defense systems, and support the transfer of MiG-29s is not only a mystery — it is shameful,” South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote on Twitter on Monday.
Ukraine has asked for the ability to defend its skies and for more lethal drones — and the world does not respond.
Why we do not provide more lethal drones, more advanced air defense systems, and support the transfer of MiG-29s is not only a mystery – it is shameful.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 21, 2022
On March 10, a group of more than 40 Republican senators urged President Joe Biden in a letter to “act without delay” to provide fighter jets to help defend the people of Ukraine.
The letter, led by Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, included most of the Senate’s GOP members, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The Daily Wire previously reported:
“While we commend the lethal aid that your Administration has sent to Ukraine thus far, we strongly disagree with your decision to delay and deny Poland the option to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine,” the senators wrote.
“Your Administration champions the $1 billion in defense articles provided to Ukraine over the past 13 months and has definitively stated there are no restrictions in your current suite of authorities to adequately respond to Russia’s lawless and bloody invasion of Ukraine,” they added.
“We implore you to direct your Department of Defense to facilitate the transfer of aircraft, air defense systems, and other capabilities by and through our NATO partners immediately,” they said.