REDALERTPOLITICS.COM4 Hours Ago

Conn. gun manufacturers consider leaving the state in wake of tough gun laws

by Arianne Talma

Connecticut is just the latest in a long list of states this year to see its gun manufacturers consider closing up shop because of stringent new gun control laws.

Companies like Stag Arms, PTR Industries and Sturm Ruger & Co, which have long provided a large number of jobs to the state's labor force, have either already made plans to move to other states, or are heavily considering it now that selling their products in-state is much more difficult. 

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which just so happens to be in Newtown, Conn. – the sight of last December's Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings – gun manufacturers in the state of Connecticut account for 2,899 jobs, which increases to 7,340 when you take businesses like suppliers into account, and has a $1.7 billion economic impact within the state.

"Connecticut isn't getting any easier to do business in," Mark Malkowski, the owner of Stag Arms, told the New York Times. His company produces AR-15 assault weapons, which were recently banned in Connecticut by the law signed by Gov. Daniel Malloylast month.

"Connecticut isn't getting any easier to do business in"

He added that they were trying to do "what's best for the company and put the employees and customers ahead of everything else," and that he had been approached by Texas Gov. Rick Perry at the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Houston earlier this month to see if he would consider relocating his operations to the Lone Star State.  

The state's tough laws aren't the only obstacles that Connecticut gun makers are facing, however. Mr. Malkowski also told the Times that he has received threats from buyers who plan to boycott any gun products made in Connecticut, adding that some customers have said that they will flat-out refuse to do business with a gun maker from Connecticut.

Connecticut is just one of a handful of states with gun manufacturers considering running for the hills. Magpul Indutries in Colorado has already said they will move their manufacturing industries out of the state, while Beretta in Maryland is also considering a move in light of their state's new restrictive gun policies.

Conn. gun manufacturers consider leaving the state in wake of tough gun laws
http://redalertpolitics.com/2013/05/24/conn-gun-manufacturers-consider-leaving-the-state-in-wake-of-tough-gun-laws/

John Hames