Gun manufacturers leaving Colo. in response to stricter gun laws

Gun manufacturers leaving Colo. in response to stricter gun laws


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SALT LAKE CITY — In response to Colorado passing stricter gun-control laws, many firearm manufacturers are threatening to leave the state.

Colorado's legislature passed HB1224 — prohibiting large-capacity ammunition magazines — in March, with Gov. John Hickenlooper signing it into law a week later. The bill restricts the sale of high-capacity magazines and requires background checks for all sales, including private and online sales.

Firearm manufacturer Magpul Industries, which specializes in weapon components and magazines, threatened to leave the state if the bill was signed into law. With the law set to go into effect July 1, Magpul announced on their Facebook page plans to leave the state.

"Our transition to a new home will occur in a phased and orderly manner to allow us to continue to serve our customers during the move, as well as to allow an orderly transition for affected employees," the page says. "We are actively working on those plans."

The company was set to announce plans for relocation, but out of respect for the tragedy in Boston and Watertown, the company has delayed its announcement.

Weapons optics manufacturer, HiViz Shooting Systems, has also announced plans to leave the state.


Colorado is a beautiful state with great people, but we cannot in clear conscience support with our taxes a state that has proven through recent legislation a willingness to infringe upon the constitutional rights of our customer base.

–Philip Howe


"Colorado is a beautiful state with great people," HiViz CEO and President Philip Howe said in a statement, "but we cannot in clear conscience support with our taxes a state that has proven through recent legislation a willingness to infringe upon the constitutional rights of our customer base."

HiViz said the move will take place over an extended period of time, with a majority of its employees making the move with the company.

And while the move will have some impact on the state's economy, Richard Wobbekind, economist at the University of Colorado Boulder, told NPR he believes "the overall impact is pretty small, given the size of the economy."

Several Republican politicians have weighed in, asking gun manufacturers to find homes in their state.

In an op-ed article for the Wall Street Journal, Maine Gov. Paul LePage invited manufacturers to find home in Maine.

"Beretta, Colt, Magpul and any others: In Maine you will find air, rail and seaports that can carry your exceptional products across the country and across the globe. You will find hardworking Mainers, and you will find a governor who is ready to provide incentives and guarantees that will make it attractive for you to set up shop in our state.

"I will never sign anti-gun legislation that erodes the rights of Maine citizens, drives your business away or infringes on the U.S. Constitution or the state of Maine Constitution," he adds. "Come to where you are welcome and where you will be appreciated. Come to Maine. I'll even throw in some lobster."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley have made similar appeals to manufacturers on Twitter. Utah, however, does not have plans to bring in some of the relocating manufacturers at this time.

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Josh Furlong

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