29 March 2013

Alaska Woos Colorado Company

It seems our legislators are making a bid for Magpul to locate a facility here in the Great Land. From an Associate Press article in today's Anchorage Daily News:

— Alaska is making its pitch to woo a Colorado company that has threatened to leave that state over new restrictions on firearms.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper last week signed bills that require background checks for private and online gun sales and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. Magpul Industries, which manufactures firearms accessories and ammunition magazines, said on its Facebook page that it would have "no choice" but to leave if the magazine bill was signed, causing an opening for states eager to prove they're more gun-friendly, like Alaska.

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Alaska House Speaker Mike Chenault, in a letter to the president and CEO of Magpul this week, said he read "with shock and disdain" reports of the new laws on guns in Colorado. "Though many feel the actions taken by your state government were appropriate," he wrote, "we in Alaska do not."

Chenault, R-Nikiski, authored a resolution that passed the Alaska House on Thursday that encourages "threatened firearms and firearms accessories manufacturers" to consider Alaska as a place to do business. It is one of several measures proposed in the GOP-controlled Legislature this session dealing with gun rights and taking a stand against any perceived infringement on Second Amendment rights by the federal government.

~ snip ~

"Alaska is the Great Land, and you are a great man for standing up for your business and doing what's right for yourself and your workers," Chenault wrote. "Our state is open for business, so come on up and look around; we have a felling you'd like what you see."

Chenault cites, among other things, Alaska's lack of a personal state income tax, low corporate taxes and "wealth of military installations." He also did some friendly ribbing, acknowledging the rival social media sites vying for Magpul's attention.

"Just remember: they say everything is bigger in Texas, until they come to Alaska, where we have more than twice the area, and less big hair," he said.

Click here for the whole article.

9 comments:

TinCan Assassin said...

I think you have the same amount of big hair, it just looks smaller in perspective...

Rev. Paul said...

Now, now, TCA. :)

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,
I think if Magpul went to Alaska it would be expensive for them.
Don't get me wrong, Alaska is a beautiful state but Texas would save them money.

Besides Texas is closer to me, I maybe able to get some work there :-)

Rev. Paul said...

Sandy, I'd never begrudge you a job. I noted in the article, though, that they said "We will likely become a multi-state operation as a result of this move, and not all locations have been selected..."

Perhaps there will be location in BOTH our states. Alaska likes its little brother TX to the south. ;^)

Jenny said...

Hunh... yeah, I'd assumed AK wasn't in the running because of shipping costs to the states - but an extra operation would be nice.

... wonder if they do franchises? :p

On a Wing and a Whim said...

Alaska does have lower-cost shipping: to Asia, not to the 48. Do they have any markets that way? Do they need any employees good at logistics to help set it up and run a branch? I have plenty of logistics experience, am familiar with the locale, and am willing to relocate!

Rev. Paul said...

Jenny, I have no idea whether AK is in the running at all, but it's nice to dream.

Wing, that's understood, but ... but how does Hubby feel about it?

Home on the Range said...

Shipping might be prohibitive, but I'd still pay it to buy from a state with some recognition of the Constitution.

Rev. Paul said...

Brigid, we may soon have no choice, as more & more of the companies we support move to more friendly environs. But like you, it's a price I'll gladly pay.