A Colorado congressman has invited Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper to join him tomorrow on a tour of a gun-parts manufacturer just north of Denver.
Erie-based Magpul Industries said Friday, followed by a full-page ad in the Denver Post on Sunday, it would be forced to leave the state if House Bill 1224, which would limit magazine capacity to 15 rounds, becomes law.
“Our company could not, in good conscience, continue to manufacture our products in a state where law-abiding citizens are prohibited from purchasing and owning them. The passage of this bill will do nothing to enhance public safety, but will force us to immediately begin taking our business to another state,” said Richard Fitzpatrick, founder, president, and CEO of Magpul Industries.
“Our relationship with our customers across the country would be severely damaged if this bill passes and we stay. We’ve already heard word of potential boycotts if that happens. They (legislators) really need to understand that our customer base is as passionate about freedoms as we are, and staying here if this bill passes would cripple the company,” Fitzpatrick continued. “Make no doubt about it…we have no choice, and would be forced to leave in order to save the business.”
Hickenlooper has been hedging on which of the state Dems’ gun-control bills he will and won’t support.
So Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) said the governor should come with him Thursday morning and see the business for himself.
“As elected officials, I think it is important that we educate ourselves on how legislation can affect our constituents, which is why I have arranged for a tour of Magpul’s facility,” Gardner said. “Considering everything that is happening at the state legislature this week, I thought the Governor might be able to benefit from the tour as well, and I hope he will seriously consider joining me.”
In a letter to Hickenlooper, Gardner wrote: “Striving to keep our children and our communities safe is an admirable goal and one that I believe we share. However, we must be aware of the unintended consequences that can come with good intentions. Disarming law abiding citizens not only makes our communities less safe, but it comes with immediate economic consequences as well. Magpul is threatening to leave our state, taking hundreds of jobs with it, as the direct result of gun control legislation that is not even going to make us any safer.”
Magpul estimates moving would cost Colorado 600 jobs and $85 million contributed annually to the state’s economy.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan (R) have already asked Magpul to relocate to their respective states, which they say are more friendly to the 2ndAmendment.
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