Posted on 02/13/2019 9:09:55 AM PST by PROCON
Holster makers, gun and magazine manufacturers as well those who produce related accessories have packed their bags to leave blue states where firearms and those who produce them are increasingly under political pressure for more conservative red states where they are embraced with open arms.
BLADE-TECH
A maker of holsters, belts, and accessories, the company moved last fall from Puyallup, Washington to Streetsboro, Ohio reportedly drawn by the quality of the local workforce as well as friendlier gun laws. Blade-Tech CEO Bryce Wegner told local media in the Buckeye State recently that he was particularly concerned about a Washington law that defined when firearms could be transferred without background checks, as a company that sometimes uses firearms as part of its process.
CHECK-MATE INDUSTRIES
Long based in Babylon, New York, Check-Mate produces a wide range of products including both surgical tools and well-received firearms magazines. Now, they are shifting a lot of production to a new location in Thomasville, Georgia in a move that will bring a $16 million investment and create 230 jobs in the Peachtree State.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade group for the gun industry, drew a correlation between New Yorks strict gun laws and Georgias, the latter a state where pro-gun bills have been the norm for years.
Georgias new Governor, Brian Kemp, may want to send New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo a thank you note and a bushel basket of peaches, said Larry Keane, NSSFs senior vice president, and general counsel. Keane points out that another New York-based company, Kahr Arms, made a similar move in 2014, shifting the bulk of their operations to Pennsylvania.
A New York firearms icon, Remington, still maintains their flagship factory in Ilion in New Yorks Herkimer County but chose to expand their operations the year after New Yorks SAFE Act went into effect to a mega plant in Alabama. Similarly, Yonkers New York-based Kimber last year announced expansions to Alabama as well.
LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL
After 40 years in The Land of Lincoln, LMT last month broke ground on a new manufacturing plant and headquarters in Eldridge, Iowa just 25 miles South of their home in Milan, Illinois.
LMT president Karl Lewis told local media the atmosphere was more welcoming in the gun-friendly Hawkeye State, with a succession of Iowa governors assisting in laying the groundwork for the move. For us, Iowa has a better climate, he said.
SAFARILAND
The well-known holster maker with California roots made public last December that they are switching production to Florida. While gun politics were not mentioned, Safariland would not be the first gun company to ditch sunny California home to some of the most restrictive firearm laws in the country for more appealing climes.
In early 2018, premium rifle and shotgun maker Weatherby announced a planned move of its corporate headquarters and manufacturing center from Paso Robles, California to Sheridan, Wyoming, citing the more gun-friendly attitude in that region as key to the decision.
In other news, Massachusetts-based American Outdoor Brands, the parent company of Smith & Wesson and others, this week told investors they are close to opening a $55 million distribution center that is expected to bring as many as 328 new jobs to Missouri.
This Ping List is for all things pertaining to infringes upon or victories for the 2nd Amendment.
FReepmail me if you want to be added to or deleted from the list.
More 2nd Amendment related articles on FR's Bang List.
Kahr needs to pull out of Mass.
“Capital takes flight to where it’s treated right.”
Les Baer escaped illannoy about 10 years ago to the USA....Iowa specically.
Magpul.
Magpul left Kolorado for WY and Buck Knives left Kalifornia for ID about 15 years ago.
It’s not only the anti-gun politics, it’s the increased restrictions on manufacturing, and the higher taxes of the “blue” states. And it isn’t just the firearms industry.
You are correct Sir.
They are penning us in State by State. No need to build their Gulags, they know where to find us.
It is a long tern strategy that appears to be working well for them.
My Brother has lived in CO for 45 Years. I remember having a conversation with him about the creeping Gun Grabber here in CA. He informed me it would never happen in CO. Fail...
Kimber needs to pull out of NY.
I will be retiring from CA to a better locale soon and I won’t be taking any CA values with me.
Hopefully, all the Nazi gun laws being passed by the far left Fools On the Hill will be ignored by local law enforcement the way the liberal flakes ignore our immigration laws. WHAT WE NEED ARE A BUNCH OF SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY STATES.
Where in Missouri?
that worryingly parallels our shrinking electoral college world.
Yep.
See my tag line.
L
I remember 1962, when Thomas J Dodd and Emanuel Cellar proposed a federal handgun registration scheme. Their claim was..
WE don’t want to take your guns away, we ONLY want to register handguns! Long guns will not be affected!” Then they added this, They also want to ban the import of 5 shot bolt action ARMY SURPLUS rifles, used in crime!
The real reason for the ban army surplus rifles was to protect their domestic hunting rifle industries from cheap military rifles. Now they have even ran many of their gun makers out of state.
AS it should be. Not only is it a good decision from a business-security point of view, but anti-rights states shouldn't get to collect money from businesses they look down on.
What I am hoping for is that small gun and ammo makers will set up shop exclusively in a given state, making a state brand of gun and ammo.
I figure that about half of their profits would come from the state brand, and the other half from highly decorated ceremonial guns. Say elaborately laser engraved chrome guns intended as awards and gifts.
The big legal advantage of this is that it sets up a precedent for these small companies to avoid federal involvement. As long as their products are sold for exclusive use in that state, an argument can *eventually* be made that they are exempt from federal mischief.
Plus, if you could get a quality gun branded for your state, would you want to do that?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.