Why are gun companies based in Anti-states

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kd7nqb

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It seems to me that most of the US gun companies are located in Anti-gun states. The only thing I can guess is that gun companies have been around for a long time so they seem to be in the old original states.

This also seems to suggest that gun lobbyists are not effective on the state level. Why dont we see a connection between pro-gun companies and pro gun states?

I am sure I forgot A LOT of gun companies but these were the ones I though of real quick.

Ruger-Connecticut
S&W Massachusetts
Colt- Connecticut
Ithica Guns- New York
Remington- North Carolina (dont know if its NC is anti or not)
Winchester- Connecticut


UPDATED

Springfield- Illinois
Kimber- New York
 
Those companies are there because they started up operations long before the gun control laws were passed. Picking up and moving their manufacturing operations to another state would cost big $$$.

Having said that, I know one of the companies listed by the OP will be relocating shortly; it's negotiating the best deal with several other states. I'll let them make the official announcement, though. :D
 
what makes you think Connecticut is an ANTI state?

with a simple permit we can CCW, buy on the spot, have Class III weapons, etc..

My CT permit was easier to get than my FL one...and FL is often called the "gunshine" state here??

we may be surrounded by Mass and NY wackjobs but I cant see CT being an "anti" state...or are you just generalizing the Northeast because you saw a Hillary speech?

CT has a long history of firearm manufacturing and from what I have seen, a whole lot of gun owners!
 
Rock River is in Il. Note, that according to the VPC, TX has the most firearms maufacturers based on data from 2000 or so. Now if you are refering to AR type monufacturers, then it does appear to be skewed to that anti states.
 
CT does have an "assault weapons" ban and plenty of other anti-gun laws. Sort of a mixed bag as far as gun rights go..

As for the original post, many gun manufacturers were established in the industrialized Northeastern states a long time ago. Mass was a center for government and private gunmakers for a long time. Also, even twenty years ago there wasn't nearly the clear cut distinction between the anti states and the free states that exists now, no widespread shall-issue CCW, no "assault weapons" bans, no specific handguns banned.
 
Those companies are there because they started up operations long before the gun control laws were passed.
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That was my thought. Some of these companies have histories that substantially predate the "anti" environments they work in.

Remington- North Carolina (dont know if its NC is anti or not)
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NC is not anti. I was also unaware that Remington was here. (It looks like their HQ is in NC, but all of the manufacturing takes place elsewhere).
 
Where are the California Companies?

Are any left in the PRK? I can't think of any off the top of my head that make guns. Seem to be quite a few supporting industries, RCBS comes to mind, California Comp Works . . . .
Serves us right. I really wish every gun manufacturer out there would just say "no" to all California sales. Lets see what would happen then. I think it would be great thing. CA LEO's are already crying like little babies because they can't have a Barrett 50. Barrett has set the example and been a leader, I wish other would follow.
 
Actually Ruger manufactures their gun in NH or Arizona. The company is HG in CT.

Marlin is in CT.

Winchester was in CT, but they shut down that factory two years ago.

Ithica is also out of business.

Savage Arms is incorporated in CT, but manufactures in Mass.

Kahr is in Mass

The simple answer is that most of these gun companies where located in these states long before they where anti-gun states. S&W been in Springfield for 120 years. Savage for at least 100 years. Colt has been in Hartford for 150 years. The anti-gun attitudes in these state is a much more recent condition, at least in the past 30 years. The reason the larger companies don't leave is because it probably cost to much to move their plant to another state to make much sense.
 
Yup, Wyoming may have great gun laws, but where are you going to find skilled labor?
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In Oklahoma!

About 3 or 4 years ago the OK legislature established and funded thru both the University system and the Vocational system (the top rated one in the country - other states send people here to study our votech system) a gunsmithing curriculum. The program was established with the express goal, written into the law, of attracting gun manufacturers to our state. So far - no luck - all those IL, NY, MA gun companies just don't want to leave where they're at even though we'd give 'em tax breaks, have a ready willing and able work force, lowere cost of living, lower costs of doing business, lower property taxes and a gun friendly environment. Gun manufacturers are missing a really good opportunity by not considering relocating to OK.

From everything I hear the program is one of the best in the nation but is so young that it is still not well known. Time will tell if the plan works out.
 
A second look

Also many of these same companies that may have bad gun laws (or just ones you don't like) have good laws in place for companies/businesses especially in manufacturing.

I heard a couple of years ago that IIRC the Gov. of Georgia made an offer of tax incentives or something like that for any gun manufacturers to relocate. I think GLOCK is the only one to do anything in that state.

I have family in VT/NH and the only complaint I had about those states were that Sig doesn't let fanboys take a tour of the factory and drool over the raw cuts without a special invite.

I'm waiting Sig!
 
Don't forget what gun companies need most after skilled labor, skilled lawyers and you'll definitely find better firms in those states
 
Les Baer is moving to Iowa, IIRC. I read somewhere (probably here on THR) that Springfield Armory is one of the largest employers in Geneseo, IL. Not sure where the "gun making" is done, but Remington has a large ammo plant in Lonoke, Arkansas.

Ithica is making guns again, nearby in Sandusky, Ohio, about an hour or so west of Cleveland
 
FN-Herstal has a plant in South Carolina. The company is a major international gun manufacturer and the state is not anti-gun.

Ithaca Gun Company has been revived once again and is in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, I think. I've never known what to make of Ohio in any way.

Wilson-Combat/Scattergun Technologies and Nighthawk are in Arkansas, which is not anti-gun either, and some of the best 1911 pistolsmiths are there too.
 
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