While anti-gun legislation doesn’t seem to be gathering much steam on the national stage, it’s already taking hold like a cancer at the state level. This time it’s Colorado and our friends Magpul Industries have put out a call to those who support the Second Amendment to help in the legislative struggle for that state.
They issued the following statement:
In addition to the national battle to protect our firearms rights, many states are currently engaged in their own fights. Here in CO, a state with a strong heritage of firearm and other personal freedoms, we are facing some extreme challenges to firearms rights. We have been engaged in dialogue with legislators here presenting our arguments to stop legislation from even being introduced, but our efforts did not deter those of extreme views.
After the NRAs visit last week, several anti-freedom bills were introduced by CO legislators, and a very aggressive timeline has been set forth in moving these bills forward.
The bills include:
HB 1229, Background checks for Gun Transfers–a measure to prohibit private sales between CO residents, and instead require a full FFL transfer, including a 4473.
HB 1228, Payment for Background Checks for Gun Transfers– a measure that would require CO residents to pay for the back logged state-run CBI system (currently taking 3 times the federally mandated wait time for checks to occur) instead of using the free federal NICS checks.
And finally, HB 1224, Prohibiting Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines–a measure that bans the possession, sale, or transfer of magazines over 10 round capacity. The measures and stipulations in this bill would deprive CO residents of the value of their private property by prohibiting the sale or transfer of all magazines over 10 rounds. This bill would also prohibit manufacture of magazines greater than 10 rounds for commercial sale out of the state, and place restrictions on the manufacture of military and law enforcement magazines that would cripple production.
We’d like to ask all CO residents to please contact your state legislators and the members of the Judiciary Committee and urge them to kill these measures in committee, and to vote NO if they reach the floor.
We also ask you to show your support for the 2nd Amendment at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb 12, for the magazine ban committee hearing and Wednesday,
Feb 13, for the hearing on the other measures.
Due to the highly restrictive language in HB 1224, if passed, and we remained here, this measure would require us to cease PMAG production on July 1, 2013.
In short, Magpul would be unable to remain in business as a CO company, and the over 200 jobs for direct employees and nearly 700 jobs at our subcontractors and suppliers would pick up and leave CO. Due to the structure of our operations, this would be entirely possible, hopefully without significant disruption to production.
The legislators drafting these measures do so in spite of the fact that nothing they are proposing will do anything to even marginally improve public safety in CO, and in fact, will leave law-abiding CO residents less able to defend themselves, strip away rights and property from residents who have done nothing wrong, and send nearly 1000 jobs and millions in tax revenue out of the state.
We like CO, we want to continue to operate in CO, but most of all, we want CO to remain FREE.
Please help us in this fight, and let your voices be heard!
We have included the contact information for the House Judiciary committee for your convenience:
House Judiciary Committee
Rep. Daniel Kagan, Chair: 303-866-2921, repkagan@gmail.com
Rep. Pete Lee, Vice Chair: 303-866-2932, pete.lee.house@state.co.us
Rep. John Buckner: 303-866-2944, john.buckner.house@state.co.us
Rep. Lois Court: 303-866-2967, lois.court.house@state.co.us
Rep. Bob Gardner, 303-866-2191, bob.gardner.house@state.co.us
Rep. Polly Lawrence, 303-866-2935, polly.lawrence.house@state.co.us
Rep. Mike McLachlan, 303-866-2914, mike.mclachlan.house@state.co.us
Rep. Rep Carole Murray, 303-866-2948, murrayhouse45@gmail.com
Rep. Brittany Pettersen, 303-866-2939, brittany.pettersen.house@state.co.us
Rep. Joseph Salazar, 303-866-2918, joseph.salazar.house@state.co.us
Rep. Jared Wright, 303-866-2583, jared.wright.house@state.co.us
Tags: Magpul
Here’s the actual bill being proposed: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2013a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/7E6713B015E62E6F87257B0100813CB5?Open&file=1224_01.pdf
As MAGPUL states, it’s a weak, unenforceable and politically motivated-feel good piece of Legislation that will not prevent another mass shooting or improve public safety. An Aurora-shooter type or gang member takes a mag shopping road-trip to Wyoming and you’ve got a criminal with an unserialized Mag. Claim the Fifth if ever stopped & questioned by an LEO and the Bill places the burden on the DA to prove you bought after the ban. They take the mag as evidence. Another road-trip for more. If found guilty, a fine and probation, because it’s a low level misdemeanor.
Magpul is welcome in Texas!
I think they should come to Texas anyway.
Think of it as an investment.
If Magpul opened facility production shop down here, they can continue production no matter what work stoppage (due to weather or political) that may or may not happen up in CO.
I’ll be there!
The Second Amendment is under attack in our country. These attacks are comming from multiple directions: executive orders, federal legislation, state legislation and local ordinances. It is under atack by the court system, the majority of the media and the entertainment industry. These are just a few of the venues the Second Amendment is being contested in.
With a battle on so many fronts, it behoves We The People and the industries who support the Second Amendment to present a united front. It also behoves us to identify members of the industry who are on the fence or playing both sides, what follows are some examples of this.
1. Magpul Industries CEO Richard Fitzpatrick donated $500 to the reelection campaign of Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) on 9/18/12. Rep. Udall has an “F” rating from the NRA on Second Amendment issues.
2. L-3 Communications PAC (Eotech) donated $5000 to the campaign of your friend and mine, Sen. Dianne Fienstien (D-CA), the author of the proposed assault weapons ban. The PAC also donated $2000 to the campaign of Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), $8000 to the campaign of Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and $1000 to the campaign of Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), all of whom are strong supporters of the assault weapons ban and have “F” ratings from the NRA.
3. Smith and Wesson PAC donated $1000 to the campaign of Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) and $1000 to Sen. Carl Levin (D-DC), both support the assault weapons ban and have “F” ratings from the NRA.
These are just a few. I am certain there are many more examples of such hypocrisy. The people in the firearms and accessories industry need to get off the fence. Are you for or against the Second Amendment? Do you stand with We The People or with the liberal/socialist fringe who would gut your industry?
It is time to take a stand!
Do you think a representative will listen to what you have to say more if you have donated or if you haven’t? It’s not hypocrisy, it’s business. Rich Fitzpatrick has about a thousand jobs depending on Magpul being in business. That’s called “buying influence” and it’s how the game is played, like it or not. These companies didn’t invent the rules, they’re just playing by them like everyone else does.
The NRA’s ratings are suspect at best. They had Harry Reid as an “A” rated candidate.
Haji, I understand your position, but I have a few issues that I believe are pertinent:
1. Magpul made absolutely no statements, nor took any actions when the proposed assault weapons ban was announced. i think they believed it would not affect them, as they would still have a large portion of thier customer base in LE agencies. When the state of Colorado began to take action that would essentially put them out of business, then it became REAL to them. Sitting on your hands while the Second Amendment is under attack until it directly affects you is unacceptable.
2. The donation to Rep. Udall is the only donation on record from Mr. Fitzpatrick. He has never donated to a pro Second Amendment candidate or anyone else for that matter. Supporting a politician who has an “F” rating from the NRA, then complaining when a number of proposals are introduced that would negatively affect the right to keep and bear arms is naive.
3. Other companies in the firearms and accessories industry have made donations only to candidates that are pro Second Amendment. Among these are Trijicon, Sturm Ruger and Glock. Other companies should follow suit. Why donate to a politician, when if given a chance that politician would gut your industry.
4. I am certainly no fan of Sen Harry Reid (D-NV), but his voting record on Second Amendment issues is very good. His “A” rating from the NRA was earned.
It would appear to be a pretty poor investment if that is how the game is played. I understand your stance however they are giving money to a party that has a long history of pushing to further restrict gun rights. It doesn’t appear that $500 is going to buy much influence. Why companies like Eotech would give Fienstien money completely blows my mind.
These politicians are more than willing to restrict everyone’s rights in an effort to boost their votes while knowing full and well that the restrictions will not prevent any crime, school shootings, etc.
In my opinion if Mr. Fitzpatrick wanted to use any influence he could have he would threaten to leave the State and move to another one and put the blame on these Senators pushing theses bills, along with letting people know how many jobs will be lost because of it.
Colorado IS a nifty place, but if they’re dumb enough to pass trash like this then let them pass it. As Mr. Holub states, Magpul et al would be most welcome in Texas.
As an aside, someone should point out that the whackjob that shot up that theater didn’t just pick the one closest to his house and go wreak havoc – he chose the one that specifically prohibited weapons carriage, so he knew he himself would not be engaged. A person doing prohibiting something like that in his or her home is one thing – one’s home being one’s castle, and all that – but a business is quite another. You invite the general public in, you get what you get, legally speaking.
A couple more examples:
Outdoor Research: $8500 to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), $2500 to Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and $2000 to Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) all of whom support the assault weapons ban and have “F” ratings from the NRA.
Under Armour Inc: $6000 to Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) who supports the assault weapons ban and has an “F” rating from the NRA.
All of this data is readilly available at a couple of websites: http://www.opensecrets.org (campaign donations) and http://www.ontheissues.com. (lists all past politician’s votes on issues and their NRA rating).
Again, these companies need to get off the fence and choose a side, or maybe they already have and we should spend our money accordingly.
Sorry SSD, I should have sourced the information in the first post.
Texas. Agree. Come on down and bring your business where your welcome.
So basically, in a few years there are going to be “free states” and “restricted states” when it comes to weapons? Unfortunately, these bans will probably pass in CO, along with anti-marriage and anti-religious freedom laws.
I’m going to have to find a “free state” to relocate too when we move back tot he States.
What’s the zipcode for Magpul’s area? I want to send my opposition in too.
I’m a Californian but I don’t want to stand by and watch another state suffer (worse than) my state’s crap. I hope that ALL freedom supporters will throw their support in this. Not just because it’s Magpul, not just because any one thing in particular, but because if we don’t stop it where it starts, it will eventually come to you.
We have our own problems.
You’ve seen what’s in the offing for California, right?
I have, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to help out elsewhere. Writing letters and sending emails isn’t that tough to do across state lines. Some NYC folks were interested in helping us out and they were the epicenter of this current new wave of gun control laws.
Write, call, and make your voice heard, but understand- they don’t hate guns, they don’t hate “clips”, “barrel shrouds”, “flash hiders”, etc… they hate YOU and they hate ME.
We can’t give up. We have a lot more than our 2d Amendment rights at stake here.
A far better shot over the bow than that moronic position La Rue tactical took! Perhaps La Rue should link up with MP to see how you don’t alienate a portion of your consumers, and still make your point in an educated fashion. Bravo MagPul! I’m in Cali too, but will be calling those elected officials, as I vacation in CO!
LaRue’s lead was great. They effectively told LE to pound sand until they helped repeal the laws that infringe upon everyone else. Good on Mark for drawing the line in the sand.
I beg to differ.
Larue was responding in a legally prudent way to the highly fluid, high stakes situations that state legislatures are creating with amateurish legislation calculated for political gain, not the betterment of society.
We often ridicule the committee/hearing/analysis/authoring process. In the case of gun legislation, this DID NOT HAPPEN. Ambiguous laws serve ONE segment of the population–the lawyers. Literally everyone else pays–with blood, money or freedom. Larue is opting out, in its own interests and in the interests of a subset customers whose status is left unclear in ambiguous, poorly written and hastily passed & enacted legislation.
I hope that (a) The Colorado legislature comes to its senses or (b) Magpul can find a home in a nearby state. And if it comes down to that, I hope they invite the media to document the move.
Welcome in Alabama as well…sent this to the Governors office, as industries that manufacture firearms and accessories are being PROTECTED here !
Mark, agree. They do hate us, just read comments on NYTs after gun control articles
MagPul is certainly welcome in Idaho. Primary Weapon Systems lives here in Idaho as well as Galco Holsters and many M4 parts manufacturers. MagPul would certainly benefit from a postive gun culture here. One of the free states for now.
What I haven’t heard discussed in this debate by the politicians is the impact that such restrictions on firearms will have to the industry and our defense budget. Manufacturers of firearms, firearm accessories, and other “tactical” related items make a not insignificant amount of money from the civilian market. The cost advantage that the Department of Defense gains through economies of scale resulting from high-output from manufacturers like Magpul selling to the civilian market is likely not insignificant. Not only the US Department of Defense, but also those ministries of defense of our allies. Defense manufacturers around the world and not just the US also participate in the US civilian market.
In an age where defense budgets are being slashed and unemployment has reached record levels why hasn’t the economic and defense impact of these restrictions been at least studied and discussed? If a USGI STANAG 30-round magazine becomes $0.50 more per magazine how does that impact the budget of DOD? If firearms companies go into bankruptcy what impact does that have on prices in a smaller less competitive market? These are real issues concerning national security and the politicians haven’t so much as consulted DOD.
Magpul is also welcome in Arizona. If Colorado doesn’t appreciate you, we will.
I live in Colorado, and I am ashamed of our lawmakers. Colorado used to be a solid Conservative state… until half of California moved here and brought their crappy liberal politics with them.
I sincerely hope that these proposals fail, or I will be looking for work in Idaho, Arizona or Texas.
The real problem is that if more and more “free states” fall, there won’t be many free states left standing when it matters.
Magpul is definitely welcome in Utah. Utah has an extremely gun friendly culture. I’d put the guns per person ratio in the state at the highest in the nation. It’s time for all companies to take a real good look at the business climate and restrictions to their doing business in their state and vote with their feet to states that will welcome them.
“Pound sand” should be the default answer when legislatures come up with these types of laws. We all need to stand together on our rights.
Bring em to Texas, specifically Arlington. No taxes for the first 10 years of corporate residency.
Colorado I feel any more is a lost cause. So many Pen Heads have moved away from Liberal States like California, to Colorado. Only to turn our State into a Mini California. If that want gun laws, Soda size restrictions. They all should live together, so the Can make their own lives miserable. Not ours. This. Obama administration will be the most devastating in our county’s history to the Real American way of values, and traditions.