Thread: Michelle Malkin: Firearms Industry Breaking With Liberal States

Malkin: Firearms Industry Breaking With Liberal States

By Michelle Malkin February 22, 2013 6:55 am

Here's the latest example of head-splitting cognitive dissonance in Washington: President Obama used his State of the Union address to crusade for a revitalized U.S. manufacturing sector. But while he pays lip service to supporting businesses that build their products on American soil, Obama and his left-wing operatives are hell-bent on driving a key sector of the U.S. manufacturing industry six feet under: the American firearms and ammunition industry.

The White House is pushing new government spending to "spur economic growth," protect manufacturing plants and "create good-paying jobs" to help America's middle class. Yet across the country, with aggressive lobbying by the White House itself, Democrats are working to destroy tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and the firms that created them. Assault rhetoric has lasting real-world consequences.

In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo imposed radical, ineffectual gun-grabbing measures that are backfiring in more ways than one. Nearly half a dozen gun companies have now announced that they will no longer sell their products to police in the Empire State. In protest of Cuomo's gun-control regime banning citizens from owning semi-automatic rifles or shotguns because of cosmetic features deemed "military-style," Washington-based Olympic Arms "will no longer be doing business with the State of New York or any governmental entity or employee of such governmental entity within the State of New York."

According to USA Today, other companies including "LaRue Tactical, York Arms, Templar Custom and EFI, as well as sporting-goods retailer Cheaper Than Dirt" have also joined the sales boycott of New York.

Worse news for New York citizens: At least one local manufacturer, the storied Remington Arms Company founded in Ilion, N.Y., in 1816, is in dire financial danger as a result of Cuomo's draconian regulations. The company's innovations in weaponry and ammunition have been used in sporting, self-defense, law enforcement and warfare for two centuries.

Now, as a result of hysteria-induced government pandering, nearly 40 percent of Remington's weapons can no longer be sold to citizens legally. Its small-town plant employs more than 1,300 people in a town of 8,000 and generates revenue of an estimated $400 million from sales in the U.S. and 55 other countries. As an Ilion local official noted, "Remington is not only a major employer, but it's a historic employer. It's been part of our very fiber for 200 years."

And so it is with the rest of the industry. Despite tough economic times, firearms and ammunition companies have created nearly 27,000 well-paying jobs over the past two years alone, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Businesses in the United States that manufacture, distribute and sell firearms, ammunition and hunting equipment employ nearly 100,000 people in the U.S. and generate an additional 110,000-plus jobs in supplier and ancillary industries.

"These are good jobs, paying an average of $46,858 in wages and benefits," the NSSF reports. In addition, "the firearms and ammunition industry was responsible for as much as $31.84 billion in total economic activity in the country ... (and) the industry and its employees pay over $2.07 billion in taxes including property, income and sales based levies."

In my adopted home state of Colorado, where unemployment hovers near 8 percent, nearly a dozen businesses are being forced to consider leaving their home state because of extremist gun-control proposals. Vice President Joe Biden himself leaned on Democratic lawmakers to support an arbitrary 15-round limit on ammunition magazines. So, what have Sheriff Joe and his gun-grabbing pals wrought? Denver-based ammo magazine manufacturer Magpul served notice that it will take its 400 full-time employees and subcontractors somewhere else. Magpul generates some $85 million in spending in the state.

As the Denver Post reported, the privately held company makes an array of consumer products in addition to sales to the military, law enforcement and gun owners. And because Magpul has made a conscientious effort to support other Colorado companies, the ripple effect could reach far beyond the gun industry -- including several cutting-edge innovators in the plastics-injection-molding business. One of Magpul's most important contractors, Denver-based Alfred Manufacturing Co., employs 150 residents. It, too, will "relocate part or all of our operations out of state" if Democrat Gov. John Hickenlooper enacts the stringent gun-control regime pushed by Biden and company. The company has already put expansion plans on hold.

Smart lawmakers from Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Arizona and South Carolina are now courting Remington away from New York and Magpul away from Colorado. For now, these states can offer business-friendly, Second Amendment-defending climates that support a demonized industry. But how much longer will it be until Obama and the pro-jobs hypocrites on Capitol Hill find new, more nefarious ways to obstruct this innovation-driving, wealth-producing sector of the American economy? Make no mistake: Gun-control demagoguery is a lethal weapon.
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Michelle Malkin is the author of "Culture of Corruption: Obama and his Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks and Cronies" (Regnery 2010). Her e-mail address is malkinblog@gmail.com.

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» Malkin: Firearms Industry Breaking With Liberal States » Commentary -- GOPUSA

THE WORLD'S LARGEST ARMY AMERICA'S HUNTERS! Under Attack by the Democrat Party

Remington and Marlin rifles are made in NYC.

Remington and Marlin: Move out of that state or expect a massive loss of revenue

All of my family members are NO LONGER permitted to visit your state; you are out of control and until you get it under control ANY BUSINESS that functions from any of these states will be hit with a back lash to the best of the American peoples ability

New York
New Jersey

Pending bills damaging the 2nd Amendment

Missouri
Colorado
Washington State
Illinois
California

you just have no idea the commerce and tourism you just or will loose

Citizens of the

BRC - Break Away Republic of Colorado
BRNY - Break Away Republic of New York
BRNJ - Break Away Republic of New Jersey
BRC - Break Away Republic of California

Citizen's of States preparing to join the Break Away Republic's

Missouri - - Break Away Republic of Missouri - BRM Pending
Washington State - - Break Away Republic of Washington State - BRW Pending

Stay Free - MOVE TO TEXAS


Texas Proposal Would Make Police Enforcement Of Federal Gun Laws -- A Crime... <--- LINK

http://www.alipac.us/f19/biden-says-...r-15-a-273160/

Florida is another option... We value our Citizens and do not threaten them with Prison

http://www.alipac.us/f19/every-sheri...rights-273166/

http://www.alipac.us/f19/pastor-chuc...e-sand-273161/

Colorado: It is your responsibility to elect Representative Government that protects the Constitution including the Bill of Rights. You have failed to do so, as this was a direct attack on the Second Amendment. In doing so I pledge to never come to your aid. You as well of the other states that went rogue are a New Union.

Any business that originates there will be boycotted by my family

All Travel to Colorado will be banned by my family

Citizens of Colorado ... do the best you can as others in the blogisphere are noting; your on your own

No Aid will be coming

These States (DEMOCRAT's) Directed an Assault on the

The Constitution
The Bill of Right's

and

The Second Amendment

they ARE Individual States with their OWN Constitution and Law's - as far as I am concerned "You are on your own from this point forward" I will NEVER come to your aid under ANY circumstance

These are vicious attack's on American FREEDOM

They inturn Attacked Lawful Gun Owner's by passing Law's that breached the other states trust

they are the weak link

They are Break Away Republic's

Colorado
New York
New Jersey
California

You are Now the Weak Link

Citizens of the

BRC - Break Away Republic of Colorado
BRNY - Break Away Republic of New York
BRNJ - Break Away Republic of New Jersey
BRC - Break Away Republic of California

Citizen's of States preparing to join the Break Away Republic's

Missouri - - Break Away Republic of Missouri - BRM Pending
Washington State - - Break Away Republic of Washington State - BRW Pending

Stay Free - MOVE To "The GREAT State of TEXAS" or any other State that you think with protect The Constitution, The Bill of Right's and of course The Second Amendment

Texas Proposal Would Make Police Enforcement Of Federal Gun Laws -- A Crime... <--- LINK

Time is short; times are hard... but the key here is where you are at is where you will ride that Monkey with no aid arriving.

Be safe "I'll pray for you" but once again; the safety of you and your family is in your hands

http://www.alipac.us/f19/50-companie...3/#post1330105

Magpul Industries Corp.

22 hours ago

Magpul has had a professional and personal relationship with John Noveske and Noveske Rifleworks for many years. In January we all lost A True American Bad Ass. As a tribute to John, Magpul had partnered with Noveske Rifleworks to provide a piece of history that would have put a smile on John's face.

Noveske Rifleworks is pleased to announce the limited production "Johnny PMAG". Please help support the John and Lorina’s children by visiting their website www.noveskerifleworks.com or their facebook page Noveske Rifleworks for details on how to purchase this limited edition PMAG.