Gunmakers: We'll leave state
By Kurt Erickson
[email protected]
March 02, 2006

SPRINGFIELD -- Several Illinois gun manufacturers said Wednesday they will pack up and leave Illinois if state lawmakers approve a ban on assault weapons.

The threats came as a House panel approved legislation to ban the weapons, even though the proposal’s prospects appear bleak in the Senate following comments earlier this week by Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.

In a press conference before the House Executive Committee’s 9-3 vote in favor the ban, the gun makers said they would pull up stakes and take 750 jobs with them if the ban is OK’d.

"If this passes, we’re out of town," said Dennis Reese, co-owner of Springfield Armory in Geneseo, one of four gun makers located in the Rock River Valley town of 6,400 residents.

"Our only course of action would be moving out of state," added Mark Westrom, president of ArmaLite Inc., another Geneseo gun manufacturer.

The sparring comes after Gov. Rod Blagojevich said in his State of the State speech last month that reinstating the expired federal ban on certain kinds of military-style weapons was one of his top priorities in this spring’s legislative session.

But Jones, in comments earlier in the week, said he doubts the measure will come up for a vote in the Senate because it is too contentious.

Despite its apparently dim prospects, state Rep. Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago, pushed the legislation through the House Executive Committee. The measure could come up for a vote on the House floor this week.

An attempt last year to move the ban through the House failed to receive enough votes.

Gun makers and their state lawmakers argued that they operate legal businesses that are subject to tough state and federal requirements. Westrom said the state should concentrate on catching criminals, rather than on banning guns.

"The arms manufacturers of Illinois and their customers are not the problem," said Westrom.

Along with Springfield Armory and ArmaLite, other companies involved in fighting the ban include Lewis Machine & Tool of Moline, Les Baer Custom Inc. of Hillsdale and Rock River Arms Inc. of Colona.

State lawmakers on both sides of aisle vowed to help block the ban.

"The State of Illinois has almost become an enemy of my district," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline.

"We will fight this with everything we have," added state Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

The legislation is House Bill 2414.


www.pantagraph.com/articles/2006/03/02/news/doc440716d1465c2131108157.txt

They're more than welcome here.

Why are there so many firearms manufacturers in IL?

I think they should come to Louisville.

Quoted: Why are there so many firearms manufacturers in IL?

Because it wasn't a socialist shithole at one time.

Attention- DS Arms

Check out the Huntsville, Alabama area. You'll love it.

In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof.

There are people who are vehemently against guns, and will go to great lenghts to ban them, even if it means your job, not their's, but yours.

Quoted: In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof.

Bingo...by the way, I hate living in Illinois...  

"The State of Illinois has almost is an enemy of my district," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline.

Fixed if for the Senator.

HH

Slowly but surely firearm manufacturers will be leaving the states like Illinois thathave restrictive gun laws. Why are there so many manufacturers in CT? It makes no sense for Ruger, Colt, etc tobe located in states in that essentially prohibit ownership of these companies products.

out-fucking-standing. There's plenty of dignity and honor being shown by these companies.

Come to North Dakota.  Very gun-friendly and very family-friendly.

Why does Illinois allow shitcago to rule their state ?

I'll the manufacturers credit for the stand. In the spirit of Mr. Barrett.


Bomber

I wish we could stand tall and be proud that our state produces the finest firearms in the world, not pushing for crap bills like HB2414.  I wish Chicago would just break off from the rest of this state. Hell, make it its own country and appoint Daley as king for life, and ban all firearms . . . I'm sure it will become a utopia. Just get outta my hair.

I wonder if any of those 750 jobs are union?

good for them.

bushmaster did the same for us when some douche-bag proposed the same for the state of maine.

As if the Cubs and Blackhawks were't enough, yet another reason for me to hate Chicago.
SG

Quoted: Why does Illinois allow shitcago to rule their state ?

Has nothing to do with allow.  

Come to Indiana..not that far of a move...

NC would love to have you

Quoted: Why does Illinois allow shitcago to rule their state ?

For the same reason Commifornia allows San BANfrisco and Lost Angeles to dictate their legislation. F*#@ing Liberals!

I FIRMLY believe that if these states want to ban the sale or manufacture of firearms for civilians, the Gun Manufacturers should STOP all sale to any government agency.

If we "The People" can't have them, then neither shall the agencies that govern us. It is hypocrisy at its worst. I love our country, but I am so sick and tired of them systematically and illegally punishing law-abiding citizens.

bring them all to florida, Nice and sunny place to put showrooms, and weve got Jeb as gov!

My state would love to have them!  Hell, I'll even help them find office space for free!

If it passes, I was thinking of leaving too. I was looking at Paducha KY, or maybe St. Louis MO suburb.

I suggest our members like myself from Missouri email Governor Blunt and suggest opening up the doors for the Illinois manufacturers to come over state line.

http://www.gov.mo.gov/constituentform.htm

Sorry, boys, but Indiana is right next door and we're very gun friendly.  
I look forward to their business.

Now those flatlanders are more than welcome to come north or the border.

Just don't bring too many of dem gosh darn bruder in laws from illynoise.

Texas has plenty of space, lots of avid shooters, great gun laws, and we need the tax base.
Please choose Texas!

everybody should call up one of those companies today and order something. even if it's something small, and tell them you are doing it because of their stance against the IL state AWB that's been proposed.

Gosh, guys . . .
Don't get ahead of yourselves. If they want to move to your state of their own volition, that's their buisness. I have no probelm with that. But it's a crap deal if they HAVE to move because we (in IL) lost some of our essential freedoms. Not a good trade. I mean, I wouldn't wish that upon CT so we might get Colt, or ME so we might get Bushmaster.

Makes me proud to own:



It is high time some sentiment like this existed among gun makers. Either they stand together or hang seperately.

We will take them all here on the free side of the Ohio River.

Quoted: In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof.

I wonder what would happen if all mfg's did this. No guns for NYPD, CPD, LAPS, SFPD, LASO........ Hmmmmmmm.

Quoted: Quoted: In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof. I wonder what would happen if all mfg's did this. No guns for NYPD, CPD, LAPS, SFPD, LASO........ Hmmmmmmm.

too many foreign MFG'ers that don't give 1 and 1/2 shits about "rights" would step in and fill the gaps.

Quoted: Attention- DS Arms Check out the Huntsville, Alabama area. You'll love it.

...and I’ll help support your computer network in exchange for an employee discount.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof. I wonder what would happen if all mfg's did this. No guns for NYPD, CPD, LAPS, SFPD, LASO........ Hmmmmmmm. too many foreign MFG'ers that don't give 1 and 1/2 shits about "rights" would step in and fill the gaps.

I agree that they would, but who gives a shit.  It would be capitalism at its finest.  Funny as hell, too!  They need a new slogan:  "You ban us, and we'll ban you!"

Quoted: Why does Illinois allow shitcago to rule their state ?

They have the most people.

Y'all come on down to Texas!  

... Come to famous, sunny "Uzi Triangle", where everyone is addressed by their first name!

Quoted: In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof.

Amen

Quoted: NC would love to have you

Yes yes!

good on them.

Quoted: Quoted: In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof. Amen Quoted: NC would love to have you Yes yes!

But first we need to get laws on the books prohibiting these same municipalites from buying firearms from outside the United States.  Then we stick it to them!!!

I think im going to go out and buy a Sprinffeild product in support of them.

Quoted: But first we need to get laws on the books prohibiting these same municipalites from buying firearms from outside the United States.  Then we stick it to them!!!

Excellent idea.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: In addition, they need to refrain from ever again selling any firearm, parts or service to the state of Illinois, or any political subdivision thereof. I wonder what would happen if all mfg's did this. No guns for NYPD, CPD, LAPS, SFPD, LASO........ Hmmmmmmm. too many foreign MFG'ers that don't give 1 and 1/2 shits about "rights" would step in and fill the gaps.

And Colt.




The reason Barrett made such a splash is because he is the leader in .50s

Quoted: bring them all to florida, Nice and sunny place to put showrooms, and weve got Jeb as gov!

The gunshine state would welcome these guys with open arms.  it'd be nice to get an industry here that won't blow away in a hurricane like citrus and tourism does.