A Virginia Gun Shop Made a Redskins-Themed Assault Rifle

If you’ve ever craved an item that combines the moral sketchiness of the local professional football team’s name with the pulsing sensation of semi-automatic gunfire, your item is waiting. The NFL would prefer otherwise.

During last weekend’s Capitol Gun Show in Chantilly, Virginia, a Caroline County gun shop displayed a burgundy-and-gold AR-15 assault rifle emblazoned with the Redskins’ logos. But Terminal Performance, which had the gun customized, is about to learn a lesson: As liberal as the NFL is when it comes to what types of merchandise can be licensed with team logos, it draws the line at firearms.

“We are looking into it,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello writes in an email to Washingtonian. “We do not license manufacturers of firearms for use of NFL marks or logos.” The league made clear this is a licensing question, not a position on Second Amendment politics (though its workplace policies prohibit team employees from bringing guns into stadiums and practice facilities).

Although Terminal Performance’s website lists the Redskins AR-15 for $2,000, an employee there tells Washingtonian it was a one-off stunt for display purposes only and will not actually be sold. Still, the gun’s description is worth the read:

“Angels will be heard singing ‘Hail to the Redskins’ in the background as you feast your eyes on this one of a kind tribute to our nation’s capitol [sic] home team. The National Football League’s Washington Redskins take center stage in an extraordinary custom AR-15 build. Decked out in burgundy and gold, this weapon system is a must for the Redskin fan that has everything. Nothing else like this ‘Skins carbine exists on planet earth, from the patented swirl-dipped color matching optic cover to the full length black widow rail. One look at this football themed rifle conjurs [sic] images ranging from Sammy Baugh to John Riggins and the hogs; and from Darrel Green to RG3. Capitalizing on the legend of the Washington Redskins, This [sic] AR-15 has what it takes to honor the Super Bowl winning football team. Everything including the upper receiver, lower receiver, barrel, grips, stock and optic scream the burgundy and gold.”

 A team spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the gun.

Benjamin Freed

Staff Writer

Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.