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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: basil

KLBJ had the report yesterday afternoon. I had to laugh, and hope they’d opt to come out to the Cedar Park or Leander area.


81 posted on 04/05/2013 7:09:07 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (For Jay Carney - I heard your birth certificate is an apology from the condom factory.)
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To: Salamander
now we’ll have the gambling addicts and attendant criminals swarming through. Stinking liberals.

And they're taking away our guns!

82 posted on 04/05/2013 7:14:24 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Why are Hispanics being given special treatment?)
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To: Arrowhead1952; basil

Did you hear that guy from that group that is giving away shotguns for people that need them if they pass a background check? Excellent!


83 posted on 04/05/2013 7:15:47 AM PDT by txhurl
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To: coloradan
Looks like the gun grabbers want it both ways. If the guns are only very infrequently used by criminals, then how can they also be "the weapon of choice for criminals?"

They can't even keep their lies straight.

I was just going to post the same thing !!

It's like the global warming bs --- since that is a lie, they now have chosen "climate change" so they can have it every way possible.

UGH -- liberals !!

84 posted on 04/05/2013 7:20:19 AM PDT by coder2
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To: Eye of Unk

Texas may be the capitol of US firearms manufacturing,


I really wish our sister states would get closer to our situation and absorb some of these businesses. I’d rather have an inpenetrable southern confederation than all the eggs in Texas’ basket. Makes us too irresistable as a target.


85 posted on 04/05/2013 7:21:11 AM PDT by txhurl
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To: txhurl

Nope—didn’t hear that either.

Where can I get one?


86 posted on 04/05/2013 7:21:29 AM PDT by basil (basil, 2ASisters.org)
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To: niteowl77
The 8045 is an all steel pistol, perhaps the last model Beretta will make. The gun is now made in Turkey in all steel.

I was skeptical that the rotating barrel, not the Browning style tipping barrel, would work. But by golly, that rotation seems to take a bit of the recoil and muzzle rise out of the shots! Now if I can get a threaded barrel for it ...

87 posted on 04/05/2013 7:22:16 AM PDT by MHGinTN (Being deceived can be cured.)
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To: basil; Arrowhead1952

Like you need one! :)

Go look on the Todd & Don show page, or call KLBJ-AM and
ask for the group that’s doing it.


88 posted on 04/05/2013 7:31:19 AM PDT by txhurl
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To: T-Bird45
One legislator stated: “... [Why would you need a] rifle that accommodates 20 rounds semi-automatic for deer hunting? ... why do you need one for self-defense?”

Fool! This "legislator" should go back to kindergarten and start all over again.

On second thought, he/she ought to read our Constitution if he/she can even read, which is doubtful. He/she probably thinks the Founding Fathers are the "funding fathers".

Besides, if nobody "needs" a 20 round semiautomatic for self-defense, this moron should disarm all the Merryland donut munchers of their expensive and useless toys and give them something more sensible, like Barney Fife's .38 1927 Colt revolver and a single bullet so they don't hurt themselves or somebody else!

I pray that a merciful God will forgive us and give us back our country from the clutches of the Devil...

89 posted on 04/05/2013 7:35:54 AM PDT by Gritty (Our masters in Washington are afraid of a populace which cannot be subdued by tyrants-Jeff Cooper)
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Click a Fist!!       Thank you, Mr. Laz A. Mataz

Don’t fight with the little fellow!
He would win, you know…


Please help abolish FReepathons
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Will contribute $10 when you sign up!!



90 posted on 04/05/2013 7:53:08 AM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: beachn4fun

I’m sure that’s just an unfortunate coincidence.

/not


91 posted on 04/05/2013 8:19:38 AM PDT by Salamander (Like acid and oil on a madman's face, reason tends to fly away.....)
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To: T-Bird45

They can come to Indiana! We’d love to have them!


92 posted on 04/05/2013 8:25:20 AM PDT by southernindymom
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To: txhurl

When did we ever have to prove a “need” to add another gun to our collection?


93 posted on 04/05/2013 8:27:55 AM PDT by basil (basil, 2ASisters.org)
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To: dfwgator
Is he bringing Fred, the Cockatoo with him?

I think Blake has passed on. It's likely the Cockatoo hasn't though. They live a long time.

94 posted on 04/05/2013 8:31:57 AM PDT by zeugma (Those of us who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.)
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To: T-Bird45

“...Maryland has a reputation for having a horrible business climate, and this would be one more nail in the coffin.” ..”

It’s a Democrat controlled state. What else would one expect?

Beretta - please move North to PA. We’re a gun friendly state in spite of the Dems best efforts to subvert us.


95 posted on 04/05/2013 9:02:19 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: Rodney Dangerfield

“...the pair of 15 round mags ....”

Pair???

You should have about 20 of them, friend.


96 posted on 04/05/2013 9:03:38 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: niteowl77

I have never considered buying Beretta, but if they actually do move, lock,stock, and barrel. I will buy one.

I’m sure Beretta is a good company, and do not mean to demean them, I just never considered buying one, not sure why.


97 posted on 04/05/2013 9:04:53 AM PDT by PoloSec ( Believe the Gospel: how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again)
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To: RC one

Come to Oklahoma. Few liberals, open carry if you have a concealed permit, and a really cool state song.


98 posted on 04/05/2013 10:22:55 AM PDT by ops33 (Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired))
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To: coloradan

As Gov, Malloy would say, “uh, well, you see, we, uh, aren’t forcing thews, ummmmm companies to uh, move. We certainly, uh, wish they would, uh, stay, but uhhhhh...”


99 posted on 04/05/2013 10:30:30 AM PDT by matt04
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To: basil

That’s why the smiley face was there :)


100 posted on 04/05/2013 11:30:48 AM PDT by txhurl
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