Company Facts:

Intratec is best known for its inexpensive assault pistols, most notably the TEC-9 and its varients. Prior to the 1994 federal assault weapons ban, Intratec offered six models of its TEC-DC9 assault pistol (originally designated the TEC-9, Intratec renamed the weapon to circumvent a 1989 California assault weapons ban that restricted weapons by name). Intratec also offered its "Scorpion Series" of 22 caliber assault pistols. Both the TEC and Scorpion pistols accept high-capacity detachable ammmunition magazines. Following enactment of the federal assault weapons ban (which forbids the future production of both the Scorpion and TEC-DC9), Intratec retooled its product line to follow the letter, but certainly not the spirit, of the law. The 1995 catalog featured a sporterized version of the Scorpion which lacked a threaded barrel but could still accept a high-capacity detachable ammunition magazine. The company also began producing the AB-10, a slightly modified version of the TEC-DC9 that was technically legal under the law (AB stands for "after ban"). Intratec sells the gun with a pre-ban 32-round ammunition magazine. At the same time the company began marketing a new line of Saturday Night Special handguns or "junk guns," promising its customers, "The Legend Continues...." The
"Pro 'TEC' tor Series" of Saturday Night Specials features two double-action pistols, the .25 ACP Protec-25 and the .22 LR Protec-22. The June 1995 issue of Gun Tests magazine�which views itself as the Consumer Reports of guns�called the Protec-25 "a nightmare," citing its lack of any safety device and repeated malfunctioning. Intratec also offers the "'Cat'egory Series" of small, powerful handguns. Promising "Hurricane Force," the pistols come in 9mm, .380, .40 and .45. The �Cat'egory-9 9mm is described in 1995 dealer copy as, "The first 9mm that fits in the palm of your hand...."

Notorious for its willingness to cater to the criminal market, Intratec's dealer advertising copy has bragged that its guns are "as tough as your toughest customers." The 1994 dealer copy for the TEC-DC9 promised that the assault pistol was "ideal for self-defense or recreation" and "does not give up one ounce of gutsy performance and reliability to any other gun on the market." Intratec is not subtle in its pitch for the male market. Up until 1995 the company offered a wall calendar featuring its handguns held by pouty-lipped models in various stages of undress. The 1994 calendar displayed a semi-nude model on all fours holding an assault pistol. An advertising flat for the "Scorpion Series" Tec-22 featured the pistol posed majestically in front of a raging fire. A scorpion poised to strike crawls alongside the weapon. The text read: "A 30-round magazine is standard and ready to be 'jungle clipped' with a second mag. for 60 rounds of immediate firepower....The TEC-22. It's fun. It's affordable. And it's hot." Other advertising copy for the Tec-22 promised, "Only your imagination limits your fun!"

In April 1991 the National Rifle Association's American Rifleman magazine ran a notice for owners of Intratec's TEC-22 Scorpion, advising them that "a flawed part may cause these guns to function full automatic," and that the guns could be returned to the factory for free modifications. The company issued no recall for the weapon. In 1995 Intratec issued a recall of its �Cat'egory pistols. The guns' slides were defective and presented a risk of serious injury. In May 1997 California Superior Court Judge James L. Warren dismissed a lawsuit against Navegar, Inc., doing business as Intratec, by the survivors of four of the victims killed in a 1993 shooting at the San Francisco office of the law firm of Pettit & Martin. The lawsuit alleged that Intratec was negligent in selling its TEC-DC9 assault pistol to the public since the weapon lacked a legitimate purpose. The suit further alleged that making the TEC-DC9 available for sale to the general public constituted an abnormally dangerous activity justifying strict liability, and that Intratec caused intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit sought punitive damages from Intratec. The ruling is being appealed.

Intratec is a defendant in a lawsuit filed May 9, 1998 by parents of Chicago murder victims. The suit alleges that Intratec marketed its products to criminals.