Posted on 03/03/2006 4:15:17 PM PST by Graybeard58
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," Westrom said.
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.
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.
We'd love to have them here in Colorado. We need the jobs.
Hope they consider us.
Come to Idaho, guys. I'm your second-best customer. After Europe.
It's kind of a no brainer to state that you'll move to another state if your present home state outlaws your business. After all, the alternatives are move, or shut the doors. That having been said, why would any freedom-related enterprise like a gun or tobacco company want to operate in IL or any other Marxist hellhole in the first place?
I hope the ban passes. And the gun makers move to my state.
"We'd love to have them here in Colorado. We need the jobs. "
I'd welcome them right here in Longmont, Co. It would be easy to get parts for my M1A.
So I guess the lie that it's about crime needs fixing up.
Notice how BDS makes the libs come right out in the sunshine and tell us who they really are.
"The State of Illinois has almost become an enemy of my district,"
Enemy of the State.
Well, we all knew it was possible, someday.
Indiana's right next door ;)
Maybe I can pick up my new 1911 at the factory?
They can move here to Cental Missouri just about 175 miles to the west. We have educated hard working gun loving rednecks who would love to work for you.
And less revenue for the state through sales tax. I'm sure these items sell fairly well. The tax revenue may be the main reason the ban is being fought by both parties. I don't know much about IL, though.
Our dim wit gov. had a plan to tax the trucking businesses right out of existence. Until they reminded gov. dim wit that their businesses were highly mobile and they would simply move to friendlier states. Gov. dim wit then quietly cancelled that plan. (Illinois)
I had to add (Illinois) when I realized that we are not the only state with a dim wit governor.
It's run by Chicago rats.
Wow, Illinois clearly does NOT deserve the jobs. Five of America's finest gunmakers.
Now if they can just convince John Deere and Rock Island Arsenal to pack up and move elsewhere, we can just shut the state down and call it "greater Chicago".
If they move to Springfield, MO, the Springfield Armory won't even need to change their name. Missouri ping .. put together your incentives package now!
I have been an Illinois resident most of my adult life. I am retired now and the nature of my wife's job will allow us to live anywhere we want. The grand kids are older now and we are thinking of selling and getting out of this socialist hell hole.
Texas is looking better and better.
Armalite, Les Baer,LMT, Springfield Armory, RRA.
Wow, Illinois clearly does NOT deserve the jobs. Five of America's finest gunmakers.
Now if they can just convince John Deere and Rock Island Arsenal to pack up and move elsewhere, we can just shut the state down and call it "greater Chicago".
best damn idea i've seen all day.....
Les Baer. (Sigh!) I don't have a Les Baer. I NEED a Les Baer. Need, not want.
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