One of the nation’s largest magazine manufacturers announced Jan. 2, it is pulling up stakes from Erie after nearly 15 years in the Northern Colorado town. The company will move its corporate office to Texas and its manufacturing operations to Wyoming.
A rash of gun-control laws passed in Colorado in 2013 was the catalyst for the iconic gun accessories company’s move. One piece of legislation in particular struck at the heart of Magpul’s operations.
Among the new laws enacted included a prohibition on the sale of gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. The majority of Magpul’s magazines have capacities of 20 rounds or greater.
The law had language allowing the manufacture of magazines with capacities greater than 15 rounds in Colorado. But Magpul’s heads found little solace in fabricating a product in a state it was deemed illegal to sell.
“Moving operations to states that support our culture of individual liberties and personal responsibility is important,” Magpul CEO Richard Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “This relocation will also improve business operations and logistics as we utilize the strengths of Texas and Wyoming in our expansion.”
Magpul plans on transitioning 92 percent of its workforce outside of Colorado within the next 12-16 months. And it is not the only company set to move from the state due to the gun-control legislation.
Fort Collins’ HiViz Shooting Systems – sights and recoil pads manufacturer – and Littleton-based Ammo Kan have announced they will move to Laramie, Wyo., in 2014.
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Congratulations to Magpul. Colorado’s loss, the Nations gain.
Not only are they losing industry, they are also losing hunters and all that associated revenue. They have been led to decreasing tax revenue by the liberal socialists in Denver and other Democratically ruled communities.