Gun Exodus BEGINS: HiViz Announces They Are Leaving Colorado

 Two weeks ago Colorado enacted new restrictive gun laws that require background checks for private and online gun sales and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. As the bill was signed many manufacturers of guns and gun related products threatened to leave the state.

Magpul Industries for example, which manufactures firearms accessories and ammunition magazines, said on its Facebook page that it would have "no choice" but to leave if the magazine bill was signed, causing an opening for states eager to prove they're more gun-friendly.

But with it's announcement today, Gun sight manufacturer HiViz became the first gun related company to announce they are taking their jobs and tax dollars to a state more friendly to the second amendment.  Good for them!

HiViz Shooting Systems Announces Relocation Plans

April 1, 2013, Fort Collins, CO—HiViz Shooting Systems (a division of North Pass Ltd.), announces plans to relocate operations out of the state of Colorado due to recent changes in Colorado state gun control legislation. HiViz President and CEO Phillip Howe, states that talks are currently under way with officials of a neighboring state regarding the move.

Mr. Howe comments, “I make this announcement with mixed emotions. Colorado is a beautiful state with great people, but we cannot in clear conscience support with our taxes a state that has proven through recent legislation a willingness to infringe upon the constitutional rights of our customer base.” Mr. Howe notes that prior to the changes in law in Colorado, he made several attempts to persuade state officials via emails and telephone calls to proceed slowly with gun control legislation that would impact individual shooters and the shooting industry as a whole.

Although the relocation will be expensive and time consuming, he adds, “It is in the best interest of our company and our customers.” Starting with corporate headquarters, the operations will be moved over an extended period of time ensuring no interruption of services to its customer base, and HiViz states that the majority of its employees will make the move with the corporate operations. More details regarding the location and timing of the relocation will be announced as details are finalized.

Colorado may face other loses due to their new law.

....groups and individuals have called for a boycott of hunting in Colorado after the state legislature's passage of three gun-control bills.

Two of the groups, Citizens Organization for Public Safety and Colorado Gun Owners Tea Party, said in a recent statement that they are "calling upon all freedom-loving hunters and fishermen, across the nation, to join the sportsmen of Colorado in a boycott."

Analysts say it is impossible to predict the strength of the boycott and resulting economic impacts, six months before big-game season.

But the potential exists for fiscal damage.

Hunting and fishing is a $1.8 billion industry in Colorado, supporting 21,000 full-time jobs. For some rural areas of the state, it's the single-largest economic driver.

In the end the only thing Colorado will get from its new legislation is the loss of Jobs and tax dollars, and the good feeling one gets inside from enacting a feel-good legislation which does nothing to prevent gun violence.