Beretta leaving Maryland?

[Parker 213]

I guess they are following through on their threat.

 

http://www.opposingv...tm_medium=email

 

 

By Dabney Bailey, Thu, April 04, 2013

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-automic 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?”

 

*It must be because they are making them new-fangled "semi-automic" firearms!

[Sixtytwo327 14]

I hope they do.

 

Unfortunately, it won't matter much. The vast majority of Maryland's revenue (and some of their biggest employers) come from Washington D.C. and Federal government agencies - tens of billions each year - so MD politicians will probably call it a "victory."

[johnp 45]

I assume they will end up moving to VA, since they already have one warehouse there. I wonder if Texas will send them a welcome letter as well.

[njpilot 671]

Good for them for sticking to their guns!

[Fred2 367]

There are lots of empty factories in NJ, maybe this would be a good place for their business.

[BlueLineFish 615]

There are lots of empty factories in NJ, maybe this would be a good place for their business.

yeah right..leave one restrictive state for another one with more restrictions

[1LtCAP 4,262]

There are lots of empty factories in NJ, maybe this would be a good place for their business.

 

it would if we didn't have half assed convoluted stupid ineffective assanine laws concerning firearms.

[mrlew 0]

A friend of mine works for them, they're heading to Virginia.

[CageFighter 236]

glad to see them stick to their guns and not just BS it!

[JackDaWack 2,895]

There are lots of empty factories in NJ, maybe this would be a good place for their business.

not Sure if sarcastic... They are empty for a very very good reason.

[Bob2222 316]

There are lots of empty factories in NJ, maybe this would be a good place for their business.

 

They are certainly empty for a reason, or for several reasons. The first step to solving a problem -- like NJ's 9.3% unemployment rate -- is to identify that there is a problem, and the leaders of NJ's legislature haven't even gotten to that stage.

 

So I don't think that's too likely. I've not heard anything to indicate that Ugo Gussalli Beretta is insane, and there is absolutely no evidence that insanity runs in the Beretta family, either. (Beretta has been owned by the same family since 1526.)

 

[jm1827 284]

There are lots of empty factories in NJ, maybe this would be a good place for their business.

 

And as long as our state legislators continue focusing all of their efforts on drafting anti gun legislation instead of trying to figure out how to fix this state economically (more jobs, better education system, more access to higher education for the poor, lower barriers to entry for small business, enticing businesses back into the state) there will continue to be many more vacant factories and buildings.

[EX Carnival man 223]

Our great minds that run this state would rather go to Washington kiss obama on the lips and get a handout. Much easer than trying to fix the problem. They just got millions to fix RT 35 with a handout. This state runs by spending all the money on unions, and welfare to get the vote to get reelected. Government loves to spend money because in the process its much easier to steal it. Its amazing how much disappears. The NJ NY port authority working on bridges and tunnels is a prime example. With Sandy relief this state stands to get A LOT of money for all the connected engineer firms and political connected lawyers, and sub contractors.

[Iggyort 44]

yeah right..leave one restrictive state for another one with more restrictions

 

 

Spot on . Why would they come here ??????

[Fred2 367]

While I admit nj has high business taxes, high property taxes and ranks at the bottom when it comes to freedom, we offset all of this with crappy weather.