Kahr Arms moves from gun-unfriendly New York; Beretta stays (for now) in gun-unfriendly Maryland

Not enthralled with the anti-firearms rhetoric coming from politicians in their home states, firearms companies are beginning to make their exit.

The latest to leave is Pearl River, New York-based Kahr Firearms Group.

This firm has set its sights instead on Blooming Grove Township, Pennylvania.

Reports Kahr will acquire 620 acres in order to build a new manufacturing plant along with a corporate office center.

While Kahr will continue to manufacture firearms at its Pillager, MN facility it also will do the same at its Worchster, MA plant.

And though New York has created an environment hostile to firearms ownership at least equal in toxicity is Massachusetts.

In announcing the company's move, Kahr's vice president of sales and marketing Frank Harris said in a statement posted on the company's web site:

“We are grateful for the warm welcome and the business opportunity extended by the Pike County (Pennsylvania) Industrial Park Development Group/Business Development Corporation to expand our company and relocate its headquarters office.

“The Pennsylvania group has demonstrated tremendous support of our operations, and Kahr looks to move forward with the project without delay. It's good for our business and also for other businesses in the area as we build a long-term mutually beneficial relationship with the community.

“We anticipate generating significant numbers of revenue and jobs for the local Northeastern Pennsylvania economy with the construction of facilities, expansion of manufacturing and need for local vendors.”

Kahr Arms is a major manufacture of quality semi-automatic pistols.

It is a frequent advertiser in firearms-related magazines and often uses attractive young women as models dressed in seemingly suggestive clothing and assuming poses that hint of World War II-era Hollywood starlets.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' 2011 (the last year for which statistics are currently available) says that Worchster, MA-based Saeilo Manufacturing Industries built 55,060 semi-automatic handguns.

Saeilo's web site is directly linked with that of Kahr Arms.

Meanwhile, Beretta has turned down an offer to relocate to West Virginia, the company presumably doing so because of recent activity by that state's junior U.S. Senator Joe Manchin's efforts to enact more stringent gun control laws.

For the moment anyway Beretta will remain in decided firearms-unfriendly Maryland.

 

However,  the firm has said it wants to move because of Maryland's hostile legislative actions in the form of passing some of the nation's most intrusive gun control laws.

Based on statistics found within the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm's 2011 firearms manufacturing report, Beretta's Accokeek, MD plant built 101,757 semi-automatic pistols and 7,204 shotguns.

In a May 17 statement found on Beretta's web site the firm said:

“Prior to introduction of this legislation the three Beretta Holding companies located in Maryland were experiencing growth in revenues and jobs and had begun expansion plans in factory and other operations.

“The idea now of investing additional funds in Maryland and thus rewarding a Government that has insulted our customers and our products is offensive to us so we will take steps to evaluate such investments in other States.

“At the same time, we will continue our current necessary operations within Maryland and we are thankful for and welcome the continued support of our employees as we do so.”

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net