It’s a story which has played out in a number of states since the latest round of Democrat efforts to pass new gun access restrictions: gun makers and manufacturers of auxiliary equipment in states where these laws were passed indicated that they would be leaving. Rather than stay and keep their businesses (and jobs) in places where they are not appreciated, the companies expressed a preference for moving to where they would be more welcome. As our colleagues at Townhall inform us, Colorado passed just such a set of laws last year and one of their corporate residents is doing just that.

Magpul Industries Corp. is leaving Colorado due to state laws which will restrict the number of cartridges a magazine can hold. “Moving operations to locations that support our culture of individual liberties and personal responsibility is important,” CEO Richard Fitzpatrick released in a statement. Texas and Wyoming will be the Magpul’s new operational hubs.

On Thursday, Magpul released a more detailed statement explaining the move.

Magpul Industries announced today that it is relocating its operations to Wyoming and Texas.

The company is relocating manufacturing, distribution and shipping operations to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Magpul is leasing a 58,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution facility during the construction of a 100,000 square foot build-to-suit facility in the Cheyenne Business Parkway. The Wyoming relocation is being completed with support from Governor Matt Mead, the Wyoming Business Council and Cheyenne LEADS.

Magpul is moving its corporate headquarters to Texas. Three North Central Texas sites are under final consideration, and the transition to the Texas headquarters will begin as soon as the facility is selected. The Texas relocation is being accomplished with support from Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Economic Development Corporation…

“Moving operations to states that support our culture of individual liberties and personal responsibility is important,” says Richard Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer for Magpul Industries. “This relocation will also improve business operations and logistics as we utilize the strengths of Texas and Wyoming in our expansion.”

Even with the financial and logistical support being offered by the governments of Texas and Wyoming, this still represents a major investment and degree of risk taking for Magpul. But it’s equally clear that they feel the principles of the matter outweigh the costs of the move. It’s rather insulting for liberal legislators to pass such sweeping anti-second amendment measures and then expect the company to stick around and keep providing jobs and tax revenues to them.

We have a similar situation in upstate New York (where three gun companies have already moved out), quite close to the area where I grew up. Ilion, New York is the home of Remington Arms, one of the largest gun manufacturers in the country. It’s the hub of the town and has provided jobs for a huge chunk of the village’s residents for my entire life. Having them leave would essentially be a death knell for Ilion – which would be very sad to see – but they are already in talks with Tennessee to take their 1,200 jobs to the Volunteer State. If they don’t go there, five other states – including Texas – have been pitching them to try to attract their business.

The total population of Ilion is only 8,000, so you can imagine what that would do to the area. But since the NY SAFE Act banned the Bushmaster – one of Remington’s most popular rifles – as well as many of Remington’s other products, why would they stay? Manufacturers in other gun grabbing states are wrestling with similar questions, and Second Amendment friendly states like Texas and Wyoming will be waiting with open arms to welcome them if they decide to jump ship. It’s then going to be up to the residents of Colorado and New York (among others) to decide if they really want to keep electing gun grabbing legislators and watch the unemployment lines grow.

Here’s a video covering the Magpul story. Also, if you find Magpul’s decision admirable and you’re considering a new purchase in the near future, you might want to look over their range of offerings.

EDIT: (Jazz) Video removed, as the advertised option to disable autoplay simply will not work. Sorry, guys.