Company makes good on leaving Colo. over gun laws

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — One of the country's largest producers of ammunition magazines for guns is leaving Colorado and moving operations to Wyoming and Texas because of new state laws that include restrictions on how many cartridges a magazine can hold.

Erie, Colo.-based Magpul Industries Corp. announced Thursday that it was moving its production, distribution and shipping operations to Cheyenne and its headquarters to Texas, making good on a vow it made to leave Colorado during last year's gun control debate.

"Moving operations to locations that support our culture of individual liberties and personal responsibility is important," Magpul CEO Richard Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "Moving to a true multi-state operation will also allow Magpul to utilize the strengths of both Texas and Wyoming as we continue to expand."

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead said in a statement that Wyoming offers Magpul "a firm commitment to uphold the Second Amendment."

The Democrat-led Colorado Legislature and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper enacted a new law last year prohibiting the sale of gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. It was part of a package of legislation in response to mass shootings at a suburban Denver movie theater and a Connecticut elementary school.

The laws drew praise from gun control activists but sparked furor from gun rights advocates. The laws prompted the successful recall of two Democratic state senators and the resignation of a third.

Randy Bruns, CEO of Cheyenne's economic development organization, said it is working with Magpul on a financial package that could include up to $13 million in state grants and loans to help the company move to Cheyenne.

"It's very significant for Cheyenne and for Wyoming," Bruns said. "They bring a manufacturing capability that's not otherwise present here in Wyoming."

He hopes Magpul's move will cause other manufacturers to consider relocating or opening facilities in Wyoming.

Magpul spokesman Duane Liptak said the company plans to move the majority of its workers from Colorado over the next 12 to 16 months. The move involves about 200 jobs, Liptak said.

The company is leasing a 58,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Cheyenne and will build a permanent 100,000-square-foot facility.

Magpul said its corporate headquarters will likely be in north-central Texas but an exact location hasn't been determined. Company officials are working with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and state economic development officials on the move.

Founded in 1999, Magpul products also include grips, slings, stocks and sights for guns, according to its website.

It is the second Colorado company involved in making gun accessories to relocate operations to Wyoming since Colorado's new gun laws were enacted.

HiViz Shooting Systems, a company based in Fort Collins, Colo., that makes gun sights and other accessories, announced earlier that it was moving its core operations to Laramie, about 50 miles west of Cheyenne.


Welcome to Texas!

Colorado,hope you enjoy your lost Taxes,which are now going to Texas!

It blurs the clarity of the Constitution for States to restrict areas unable to be restricted by Congress. I wonder what would happen if a state decided something like "Freedom of the Press no longer applies here and all printed content should be reviewed by the State"?

actually no State can rightfully suspend the US Constitution!

That's my point. Some try... a little at a time.

exactly,a little bit here,a little bit there!

companies protect their bottom line PROFIT

no surprise here, it would be just as newsworthy if a candy manufacturer moved out of a state that restricted how many calories could be in a serving by 100,,

costs less to move to someplace else and omit all those wages they are paying to go towards moving costs,,

than to update the standards of production ,,

cest la vie,,,,,,

outsourcing for the bottom line has happened for decades,

not much different than moving the company for the bottom line,

this company moved profits and employment to someplace within the states,,at least

I'm guess it must not be a "union shop" or the justice department and NLRB would have tried to block them from moving the way this administration did with Boeing.

unions are unpatriotic and un-American

guns are fundamentally patriotic and American

Im guessing its rare a gun manufacturer is a union shop,,,,

I didn't say unions are unpatriotic, where did you get that? I happen to believe unions were good for businesses and employees at one time. I happen to be a retired teamster, I've seen the good and bad things a union does.

What I'm saying there is a double standard, and bias, by this administration when it come to their supporters.

Yeah, TX will take those jobs!

Money probably had very little to do with their decision to move.

There is a term some subcultures can't comprehend.

That being principles.

IMO, principles had more to do with the decision to move.

The State was warned.

How can you explain principles to those that have none?