Over 3,000 sheriffs demand Biden BLOCK the sale of big gun ammunition and primer manufacturer to a foreign buyer with ties to Russia and China

Over 3,000 sheriffs nationwide are demanding President Biden stop the sale of a big gun ammunition and primer manufacturer to a foreign buyer with ties to Russia and China.

The sale of Vista Outdoor’s Sporting Products business, which has been a 'trusted partner' of local, state and federal law enforcement for decades, is under new scrutiny. The company represents well-known brands CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and Speer.

Vista Sporting Products provides 'critical supplies of primers and ammunition for service and training' for police across the country. Primers are the firing part of a bullet that projects it out of a gun.

The buyer, Czechoslovak Group (CSG), which is one of the biggest producers of ammo in Europe, entered into an agreement with Vista Sporting Goods in October 2023 for an all-cash $1.91 billion sale that is expected to be finalized in 2024.

However, CSG allegedly has ties to Russia and China, which could impact U.S. national security. And law enforcement officials are worried the deal could impact their trusted supply chain.

The sale of Vista Outdoor’s Sporting Products business, which has been a 'trusted partner' of local, state and federal law enforcement for decades, is under new scrutiny

Vista Sporting Products provides 'critical supplies of primers and ammunition for service and training' for police across the country

However, CSG has ties to Russia and China, which could impact U.S. national security

In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas this week obtained first by DailyMail.com, the sheriffs say they are concerned about a disruption to their critical supplies due to the sale.

Sheriffs say they are concerned about a disruption to their critical supplies due to the sale.

Particularly, a 'foreign company controlling of nearly 70% of the western supply of primers' is not an ideal situation.

'At this time of heightened global demand, any disruptions in access to affordable and reliable American-made ammunition and primers will hurt Sheriffs across the country,' they continue.

'Additionally, CSG’s ownership of Vista Sporting Products could limit the ability of some law enforcement agencies with foreign procurement restrictions from continuing to purchase supplies. This would happen at time when many of our members are still dealing with shortages spurred by COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.'

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., also raised similar concerns last month, saying the proposed acquisition could harm national security.

He asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to thoroughly review the sale to ensure that it will not negatively impact the nation due to CSG's apparent Russia and China ties.

One of CSG's subsidiaries, Dako-CZ, apparently worked on a project with Huawei - a Chinese telecommunications conglomerate that has worked to steal U.S. trade secrets.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that if the deal goes through, CSG will 'immediately become a major player in the American ammunition industry despite national security concerns.'

He said that CSG once sponsored an 'exhibition in Moscow to help Russian authorities secure European military technologies and has alleged ties to Putin’s circle.'

In addition, former Trump National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, have also warned about CSG's alleged ties to Russia. 

However, CSG spokesman Andrej Cirtek told DailyMail.com that the sale allows CSG to 'bring to U.S. small calibre ammo producers stability and investments which they need.'

He also stated that that the company does not have ties to China and Russia, saying rumors to the contrary are 'complete nonsense.'

'We are one of the leading private suppliers of arms for Ukraine and several of our companies have NATO security clearances,' he added saying over 60 percent of their defense production goes to NATO 'never to Russia or China.'

Jason Vanderbrink, president and CEO of Federal Ammunition and Remington Ammunition, similarly claimed the 'internet rumor mill' has been making 'inaccurate statements about our business.'

'Our ammo brands are proudly made in the United States, and we are known for American heritage,' he said in a video statement.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is also reviewing the sale.

According to Axios, the Biden administration is giving CFIUS a 'sharper scalpel' in order to vet foreign investments. 

Included in the proposed changes to CFIUS authority, the agency would be able to slap a civil penalty for 'misstatements or omissions' in a filing up to $5 million from just $250,000.

The demand by the sheriffs comes days before Biden is set to meet with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at the White House on Monday.

The White House announced the meeting as a way to 'further strengthen' the U.S.-Czech relationship and 'reaffirm their resolute support for Ukraine as it defends against Russia’s war of aggression.'

Sheriffs say they are concerned about a disruption to their critical supplies due to the sale

Particularly, a 'foreign company controlling of nearly 70% of the western supply of primers' is not an ideal situation

Biden and Fiala are expected to discuss a number of 'shared priorities' during the visit, including 'security issues, economic opportunities that benefit the American and Czech people, and shared democratic values.'

It is unclear whether this proposed sale will come up during their closed-door meeting.