House Speaker Philip Gunn invites gun makers to move to Mississippi

House Speaker Philip Gunn invites gun makers to move to Mississippi

One top state official wants gun makers in seven states to flee critics and move to Mississippi.

House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, sent letters Thursday to 14 gun manufacturers suggesting they should relocate. The companies are in Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and North Carolina.

“I am personally inviting you and your company to come to the great state of Mississippi,” Gunn wrote in a letter to Colt’s Manufacturing Co. “In our state, you will not be criticized for providing good to the law abiding citizens who enjoy hunting, shooting or who just want the peace of mind that comes with the constitutional right to protect their families.”

Leaders from other states have sent letters to some or all of the companies asking them to come to their homes. Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, both Texas Republicans, have made overtures. Also chiming in have been U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., and officials from Alabama, Idaho, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming.

AP
2/21/13