So what is NH doing to lure these now "orphaned" 2nd Amendment Companies? - Granite Grok

So what is NH doing to lure these now “orphaned” 2nd Amendment Companies?

You know, we have SigSauer based here in NH.  Sturm Ruger, too, Heckler & Koch as well.  Well known manufacturers – a solid knowledge base and familiarity with firearms manufacturing.  I have been wondering, with Democrat onslaught in various States of restricting the civilian populations’ access to and use of small arms they deem “scary” (as Progressives do not trust “we plebes”), what the State of NH has been doing to go and entice some of their companies to move here.  A win-win situation: companies leave the States that have made it illegal for them to sell their products to their own citizens for a place that should be more welcoming  and we get the jobs  and a larger tax base.  However, I have seen NOTHING in the NH media that would indicate that our present Governor, Maggie “The Red” Hassan has reached out to Beretta in MD, Magpul in CO., Colt in CT, or any other number of companies – all large operations whose (Democrat controlled) Legislatures have said “We do not trust our own Citizens” and, in fact, have said via their actions “We have judged our Citizens to be guilty ahead of innocence for crimes they have not committeed”.  Simply put, they have turned the traditional American philosophy of jurisprudence upside down – and like it that way.  Neither have I heard if DRED (Depart. of Resourced and Economic Development) has done any reach out, either.  While there might be secret negotiations, SOMEONE would have leaked something by now, right?  However, I have received note that a few of our legislators have reached out on their own to these companies – Republicans ran on a Jobs! platform and they are carrying out their campaign promises.  Here are a couple of the letters that have been sent in (emphasis mine):

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March 26, 2013

N.H. House Republican Office
107 N. Main St.
N.H. State House
Concord, N.H. 03301

Dennis Veilleux
President & CEO
Colt Manufacturing Company
PO Box 1868
Hartford, CT 06144

Dear Mr. Veilleux:

It is with our deepest sympathies that we write today after learning of the Connecticut Legislature’s looming proposals on restricting handgun sales and ammunition purchases. We applaud your prospect of leaving Connecticut should the bills become law and view your advertising effort as a strong gesture to protect the rights of Connecticut citizens in the meantime.

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having to leave your state, we hope that you would consider New Hampshire for your relocation. The Granite State, which enjoys the state motto “Live Free or Die,” has a long tradition of supporting the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As recently as 1982, the people strengthened individual gun rights protections in their State Constitution by adding Article 2-a to the New Hampshire Bill of Rights. Further, the people elect 400 representatives to the N.H. House, 24 members to the N.H. Senate and a N.H. governor every two years, which holds these elected officials constantly accountable. Such representation also ensures that your voice would be heard and answered by your state government.

As a likely consequence of our state’s gun culture, New Hampshire is a national leader in the fight to protect and restore gun rights in America, and we have one of the lowest crime rates in the country. We have a longstanding statewide preemption law that prohibits local gun-control ordinances and range protection laws prohibiting restrictions on the firearms manufacturing industry. Additionally, our continuing efforts to protect gun rights are bi-partisan. Two years ago, a Republican dominated State Legislature added individual Stand Your Ground protections to state law, among similar improvements. This year, following the widely publicized gun-control propaganda, our Democrat-controlled House just passed a bill that would protect gun owners from civil liability if their weapons were stolen from them and used in a crime.

New Hampshire’s positive gun culture is just one aspect of the state that makes us an attractive option for firearms manufacturers. We’re also the best state to live in, according to CNBC, which will help you attract and maintain associates. The state, which is filled with respected secondary education and university systems, enjoys a highly educated workforce within the sizable Greater Boston area. Our international airport is centrally located in Manchester, our state’s largest city, which is about one hour from most population centers. Our residents pay no personal income tax and shoppers pay no sales tax, factors that contribute to what New England economists call “The New Hampshire Advantage.” Due to its scenic nature, the state enjoys vibrant tourism and retail industries, and not just in its White Mountain and Seacoast regions. At the same time, manufacturing remains New Hampshire’s number one industry.

If you decide to join us, you would be in the company of 80 high-quality firearm or component manufacturers already calling New Hampshire home, including Sig Sauer Inc., Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc., Heckler & Koch USA, and Green Mountain Rifle Barrel Co. Inc. You can rest assured, New Hampshire citizens and their Legislature would welcome your business here whether you decide to move your main facilities from Connecticut, or whether you just want to explore the state with a satellite location. You would always have respect from individual members of the Legislature as well, including those listed below.

Sincerely,

Al Baldasaro
Carol McGuire
Pamela Tucker

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Mr. Richard Fitzpatrick CEO                            Feb. 17, 2013
Magpul Industries
400 Young Court Unit 1
Erie, Co 80516

Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick,

I read with extreme interest today the comments Mr. Doug Smith is reported to have made regarding your intention to move your company from CO should your legislature pass laws which impact your business.

My reason for contacting you is to ask you to examine the many positive aspects of moving your company to the Live Free or Die state- New Hampshire. The Granite State is frequently named the best place to live in the U.S. and there are a multitude of accolades written by numerous sources regarding our state that I might share here. Rather than take your time I’d prefer you discover them at your leisure. Our national standings in education, cost of living, and low crime rate are but a few.

There are 3 very important facts about NH I do wish to relate as they very well may have a disproportionate impact on your relocation decision should you find the need to do so. First, NH has no broad based income or sales tax. Second, NH has 3 well known arms manufacturers located within our state. Third, NH is literally less than 4 driving hours from major arms manufacturers in both MA and CT. I’m sure you are familiar with all these manufacturers.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message. If circumstances or interest dictate additional information we will be pleased to address those needs.

Respectfully,

Rep. Peter T. Hansen
NH General Court
Hillsborough County District 22

cc. Doug Smith COO – Magpul
Commissioner Philip Bryce – NH Dept. Resources and Economic Development

Nice touch on that last letter – if DRED can’t be doing the job, at least Rep Hansen let them know he is volunteering for them on their behalf (you know, I’ve not ever met Rep. Hansen – gonna have to put that into the bucket list).  Quick note: I deal with one of those named companies from time to time (no, not at the “C” level) and I asked my contact “Hey, you folks going to move since I have seen the rumors in the media”?  We chuckled a bit and he admitted that he was far from the level that would make that decision.  However, he did make it clear – not to the colder North but to a warmer clime.

Well, I tried….

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