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Beretta Leaves Maryland Because of Stricter Gun Laws
OpposingViews.Com ^ | 4/4/2013 | Dabney Bailey

Posted on 04/04/2013 8:53:25 PM PDT by T-Bird45

New legislation is forcing gun manufacturing company Beretta to uproot and take their business elsewhere.

Established in 1526, Beretta holds the distinction of being the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the world. The U.S. factory is located in Accokeek, Maryland, and has been a staple of the local economy for years.

Beretta warned that stricter gun control laws would push the company outside of state lines, but that didn’t stop Maryland legislators. Jeffrey Reh, a spokesman for Beretta who also serves as the President of Stoeger Industries under Beretta, announced that the company would begrudgingly uproot and take its business elsewhere. He said, “We don’t want to do this, we’re not willing to do this, but obviously this legislation has caused us a serious level of concern within our company.”

He added that Beretta paid approximately $31 million in taxes, employs 400 people, and had invested $73 million in the business over the past several decades. Despite being such a prominent player in the local economy, Beretta was unable to prevent legislators from passing tighter gun control laws. Ironically, Beretta manufactures some firearms that are now banned in Maryland.

Republican state Delegate Anthony J. O’Donnell lamented: “Losing [Beretta] would be a big disappointment. Maryland has a reputation for having a horrible business climate, and this would be one more nail in the coffin.”

Legislators had ample warning. Back in the ‘90s, when Maryland beefed up gun control laws, Beretta moved one of its warehouses a short drive away to Virginia.

Beretta’s bold move is regrettable but understandable. Reh told reporters, “Why expand in a place where the people who built the gun couldn’t buy it?”

All of Beretta’s pleas fell on deaf ears. Even as Reh lamented Beretta’s looming departure and emphasized the company’s centrality in the local economy during the hearing, Maryland legislators grilled Reh on self-defense.

One legislator stated: “Other than target shooting, the only other reason [for a semi-automatic firearm] would be for self-defense… [Why would you need a] rifle that accommodates 20 rounds semi-automatic for deer hunting? … It’s only very infrequently that someone commits a crime with an assault weapon – why do you need one for self-defense?”

Sources: Fox, Washington Times, The Blaze


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: banglist; firearmsfreedom; guncontrol; kpyreyeonthesprrw; maryland; marylandmymaryland; relocation; secondamendment
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To: Vendome

My son has a Kimber 45. It’s pretty sweet. But yeah, if you already have one give Beretta some of your business. My brother was over my house last week and had on a nice polo shirt with a Beretta logo over the pocket. Ironic.


41 posted on 04/04/2013 11:39:52 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: T-Bird45

more good news would be colt and ruger leaving connecticut.

even more good news would be the ammo people telling dhs to shove their billion round order up their collective communist asses.


42 posted on 04/04/2013 11:44:03 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I can neither confirm or deny that; even if I could, I couldn't - it's classified.)
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To: T-Bird45

I’m retired EOD and made the trip down 210 to Indian Head to DC many time over my career.... Always liked the fact the factory was there as some of the spouses worked there and were able to purchase a firearm each year at cost. My Girl Friday has quite the collection of some really nice berettas . The guy that runs or did run Al Mar knives was the chief cook and bottle washer at Beretta back then. I want to say Gary Fadden ??

All gun, ammunition and related products manufacturers should leave these socialist states. Take their business and its effects on community fiscal health where it’s appreciated by all .

Maryland’s polidiots have struck again !


43 posted on 04/04/2013 11:46:45 PM PDT by Squantos ( Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet ...)
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To: coloradan

Then why do police need ‘assault weapons’? If they need them for self defense from the ‘bad guys’, where are they confronting these ‘bad guys’? In secure areas away from the public or in amongst the public? Who is more likely to be a victim of the ‘assault weapons’ of the ‘bad guys’, the police or the general public? If the police are not legally obligated to protect citizens(USSC Warren vs DC 1981)shouldn’t citizens have the same self defense capability as the police since the ‘bad guys’ are amongst us and not ‘secured’ away?? The powers that be don’t give a damn about your ‘security’. It is about control and the power that comes from it. It is human nature. It is the history of mankind.


44 posted on 04/04/2013 11:57:58 PM PDT by yadent
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To: coloradan
"It’s only very infrequently that someone commits a crime with an assault weapon – why do you need one for self-defense?”

When the government is the criminal then the people need all the strength they can muster to resist crime.

45 posted on 04/05/2013 12:34:00 AM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah, so shall it be again,")
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To: T-Bird45

Come to Texas!


46 posted on 04/05/2013 12:41:51 AM PDT by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: cloudmountain
Does anyone else remember him or know what's become of him. Google, here I come.

He did the crime, but didn’t do the time.

Some of us remember when he was Little Beaver. Robert Blake was acquitted of murdering his wife........

Haven't heard anything of him since then..

Robert Blake tried for murder

47 posted on 04/05/2013 12:45:36 AM PDT by itsahoot (It is not so much that history repeats, but that human nature does not change.)
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To: T-Bird45
One(Maryland) legislator stated:

It’s only very infrequently that someone commits a crime with an assault weapon, why do you need one for self-defense?”

Talk about an idiot. What kind of people elected this ........... person?

48 posted on 04/05/2013 2:21:36 AM PDT by TYVets
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To: T-Bird45

I’ll believe it when I see moving vans crossing the border.


49 posted on 04/05/2013 2:46:55 AM PDT by aomagrat (Gun owners who vote for democrats are too stupid to own guns.)
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To: TYVets

I live here. The state is filled with low information voters and gummint workers, often the same ones.


50 posted on 04/05/2013 3:11:34 AM PDT by Pharmboy (Democrats lie because they must.)
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To: MHGinTN
The pistol has only one negative, the decocker/safety is on the slide not the frame.

I feel the same way, and have since the first time I fired a P-38. What baffles me is that some people prefer pistols that way! Go figure.

The Beretta Px4 Storm SC - which to me is less of a subcompact than it is a cut-down full size pistol - that I've been exposed to lately has been a remarkably pleasant surprise despite the (to me) bass-ackwards "safety" setup. When the local LGS introduced me to one, I had all the enthusiasm of a society dame baiting a fish hook with a nightcrawler, but so help me, I like that pistol.

Mr. niteowl77

51 posted on 04/05/2013 4:00:07 AM PDT by niteowl77 (Oh, crap.)
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To: T-Bird45
... It’s only very infrequently that someone commits a crime with an assault weapon – why do you need one for self-defense?”

Because my God-given Second Amendment right allows me to. What's it to you?

52 posted on 04/05/2013 4:01:55 AM PDT by upchuck (Free Republic: faster than a speeding bullet!)
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To: cloudmountain
Does anyone else remember him or know what's become of him (Barreta).

Yeah, he got away the murder of his skanky "girlfriend". Or if you believe he was innocent, he was awfully dam lucky that he went back into that restaurant looking for his gun while the gun man shot her in the head.

She was a pain in the you-know-what, anyhow. She apparently left a long line of fraud victims in her wake.

53 posted on 04/05/2013 4:20:23 AM PDT by submarinerswife (Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results~Einstein)
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To: T-Bird45

Any news on where they are moving?


54 posted on 04/05/2013 4:21:31 AM PDT by Texas resident
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To: Texas resident

I have a feeling Texas may be the capitol of US firearms manufacturing, almost every plant and business in a blue state is leaving.

I used to live in Texas, had many a job there, living costs were very very affordable, wages were low but there was always a job around the corner.


55 posted on 04/05/2013 4:25:45 AM PDT by Eye of Unk
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To: Rodney Dangerfield
Also:

Beretta- cheesy 90's chevrolet product.

Needless to say, chevy was sued.

CC

56 posted on 04/05/2013 4:37:30 AM PDT by Celtic Conservative (Hey liberals, what part of "unalienable" don't you understand?)
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To: Salamander; T-Bird45
...how many fleeing companies does that make, now?

You know I used to think this was the case, however

I know think if we take a broader look at the companies MD attracts...casinos, horse racing, strip-malls... it'll paint a bigger picture of their mindset.
After all, Beretta is only one company compared to the larger number of the above.

57 posted on 04/05/2013 4:41:01 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Why are Hispanics being given special treatment?)
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To: beachn4fun

Vote with your feet and your wallet, at every opportunity.


58 posted on 04/05/2013 5:15:58 AM PDT by LibsRJerks
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To: T-Bird45
He said, “We don’t want to do this, we’re not willing to do this,

I hope he meant:

He said, “We don’t want to do this, but we’re not willing to do this,

59 posted on 04/05/2013 5:19:16 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: T-Bird45

Never owned a Beretta. Might have to reconsider that.


60 posted on 04/05/2013 5:25:26 AM PDT by GenXteacher (You have chosen dishonor to avoid war; you shall have war also.)
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