Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) is inviting gun manufacturers to move their businesses Texas. Carter and eleven other members of the Texas Congressional Delegation sent a letter Tuesday to three Connecticut gun manufacturers urging them to consider relocating their firearms manufacturing facilities to Texas.

“Texas welcomes gun manufacturers with open arms. This is a state that protects and honors the second amendment. We are a pro-gun and pro-business. Our steadfast economy encourages job creation through private business growth,” said Congressman John Carter, Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27) initiated the letter after hearing that a Connecticut-based rifle manufacturer, PTR-Precision Technologies Inc., announced its intentions to move 40 jobs out of the state due to “unintended consequences” of Connecticut’s newly-passed gun control legislation.

“We want gun manufacturers across the country to know that Texas is both a business-friendly environment and committed to protecting our Second Amendment rights,” said Congressman Farenthold.  “That’s why we wrote this letter inviting them to relocate their facilities to the Lone Star State, where we’re always open for business.” 

“The business-friendly environment in Texas prompted CEO Magazine to name Texas the best state in the nation for doing business, eight years in a row. Texas lawmakers have paved the way for business through reasonable regulations, low taxes, a skilled workforce, cutting-edge infrastructure and the advantage of being a right to work state,” the Congressmen say in the letter.”

“In Texas, we understand what it takes to keep jobs in our state. We respect the Constitution of the United States of America. Come on down to Texas where we love our guns and our jobs. We won’t stifle your business with burdensome regulations and we will protect your 2^nd Amendment rights,” said Congressman Randy Weber (R-14).

“The 2nd Amendment is a sacred part of our Constitution, and that means any manufacturer of guns is producing a legally-protected product.  Any attempt to undermine that Constitutional protection is an outrage. If you relocate to Texas, you will have friends in Congress who fight for you and for the jobs you create,” said Congressman Roger Williams (R-25).

Congressmen Steve Stockman (R-36), Sam Johnson (R-3), Mike Conaway (R-11), Randy Neugebauer (R-19), Lamar Smith (R-21), Joe Barton (R-6), Ralph Hall (R-4), and Pete Sessions (R-32) also signed onto the letter.   

The letter was sent to PTR-Precision Technologies Inc. located in Enfield, Connecticut, The Marlin Firearms Company located in North Haven, Connecticut, and The Mossberg Corporation, also in located in North Haven, Connecticut.    

The full text of the letter can be read here.