Unhappy about new limits, gun makers urged to move
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Firearms manufacturers upset over newly restrictive gun laws and proposals in their home states are getting a message from other places: Move here, where the climate is favorable to your products and so are the tax codes.
In New Hampshire, a group of conservative Republicans sent letters wooing gun companies. Politicians in Virginia and West Virginia have said they would welcome Beretta if it chose to leave Maryland. Alaska House Speaker Mike Chenault, in a letter to the head of Magpul Industries this week, said he read “with shock and disdain” reports of new gun laws in Colorado, the home of the firearms accessory and magazine manufacturer. “Though many feel the actions taken by your state government were appropriate,” he wrote, “we in Alaska do not.”
When the debate over gun laws reignited after the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., in December, critics of proposals to toughen state laws cautioned that gun manufacturers could move and take local jobs with them. And indeed, now lawmakers and residents in a few states are using restrictions on guns recently passed and proposed elsewhere as an opportunity to attract affected businesses.
Whether their campaigns would work remains to be seen, and it may be beside the point. SOURCE
Oh if only I were a political activist, one that had the drive to look at situations and the *smarts* to see solutions and offer workable suggestions.
If only I cared enough about Texas and MY community, the City of Rowlett, to suggest to our city leaders that this would be an excellent time to promote Rowlett, to toot our own horn, to do more than just TALK about what the city needs to sustain itself, to broaden its tax base and actually GROW.
Oh, WAIT! I DID do all of that … on a couple of occasions. I wonder why then that there is no mention of Texas and/or Rowlett in the original story?
Didn’t the Growth and Development people get the message? Didn’t they see the detailed list of gun companies that are located in very gun unfriendly states? I sent it to them.
Didn’t they see the names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Fax numbers and so forth to ALL of these companies that are ripe for the picking as an anti-gun movement grows in their part of America?
Do the Growth and Development people not get the concept of hustling, ie: work for the business you get? Didn’t they have the whereto to formulate a package that would make Rowlett attractive to these companies?
Didn’t anyone think to write or contact these companies and point out to them that the tax base in Texas is much less than that of New England and Northeastern states?
Companies always want *tax breaks* as part of any incentive plan when a relocation is to be considered, well, our lower tax rates, AND, a HUGE plus in MY opinion, the fact that Texas doesn’t have a personal income tax, is a great incentive.
Didn’t anyone bother to offer up those nuggets of enticement?
East coast states and New England states are making a massive push for old, established and very successful gun makers to remain in their states, the powers that be here in Texas need to do push Texas as a destination and a location that can be good for all.
Texas is the perfect place to do business, and my part of Texas would be the most perfect of all, but I am a bit prejudiced in that regard, and when you combine gun makers and Texas, that’s a marriage made in heaven!
What we don’t need is another *strip mall*, burger joint, pizza place or Chinese buffet; we need REAL business, BIG business, sustainable business that will be an integral part of our fabric for decades to come, and our City officials need to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Otherwise, we’re going to forever be known as that nice little *bedroom* community out there by the lake, the one with a serious infrastructure problem and no way to correct it.
Er. But they see bill promoted by Rep. Yvonne Davis D-Dallas and have to wonder. Wonder it is. Did you see WP article today about only white guys commit mass murder? Names the Fort Hood Massacre guy as one. A white Palestinian I suppose, just the white guy down the street.
If these gun manufacturers move to the East Coast or New England then they are fools. The gun laws there are more restrictive than where they are now.
No, I believe that the writer of this piece wants them to move there. To high taxes, union bosses and gun restrictions. They are looking for low taxes, right to work and a gun loving population. Texas is great for their business.
Most of these gun makers are alreay ON the East Coast and in New England..
Here are some of the better know firearms manufactures. You’ll see they’re located in states which severely restrict the ownership of their products.
Kimber…….Elmsford, New York
Colt……..West Hartford, Connecticut
Bushmaster……..Ilion, New York
Springfield…..Geneseo, Illinois
Mossberg……North Haven, Connecticut
DPMS Firearms…..St. Cloud, Minnesota
Auto Ordinance…..Worcester, Massachusetts
Smith & Wesson…..Springfield, Massachusetts
ArmaLite…….Geneseo, Illinois
It would appear, then, that those persons in Rowlett don’t wish to be seen as associated with evil firearms — nor do they wish to grow their community or increase their tax base, either.
BZ
It would seem so…
Maybe you have gutless , politically correct people in Growth and Development who don’t want to rock the boat and take a chance of offending those opposed to guns. Maybe these people don’t like guns. Maybe they are too lazy to write a few letters and pick up the phone and contact the firearms manufacturers. Maybe they just don’t care about Rowlett. Whatever the reason, it’s an opportunity wasted.
Ya know, you might be on to something… PCness abounds, in some of the damnedest places too…
The Fort Worth Dallas Area is home to Bell Helicopter, General Motors, Lockheed Martin Aviation and sub-contractors to these organization. All three of these major plants have reduced their staffing in the last few years leaving many assemblers, machinists, and engineers looking for work. Favorable taxes, a favorable commercial real estate market and a ready and willing skilled work force is in place. This local is also a transportation hub for several trucking companies and major airlines. Fort Worth is a gun friendly conservative town compared to Dallas. If any gun manufacturers are looking for a warm welcome I suggest they try the hospitality of Fort Worth. they will not be disappointed. Bass Pro Shops, Cabellas and Cheaper ‘n Dirt love us and the feelings are returned.
I think some of our Rowlett official folks want more burgers and hotdogs, more nice homes and more strip malls… I am very serious in that statement, and quite frankly, that thought disgusts me..
It is difficult to determine the thinking of the people who, more or less, control what businesses come to your town. Such was the case of Siloam Springs, AR many years ago. Little Debbie Snacks approached them about building a bakery in the city. They were literally snubbed, told they weren’t interested. Little Debbie politely walked away and went to Gentry, AR, about 10 miles up the road. They are now one of the largest employers in the area. Somethings just have no rhyme or reason.
Folks in Cheyenne are thinking of a new suburb / development. Prospective names in clude but are not limited to; GUNSIGHT… Just saying…