A strict gun-control law that went into effect in New York at the beginning of the year is being blamed for driving a handgun manufacturer to move their business to Pennsylvania, according to the Huffington Post.
Kahr Firearms Group announced that they are leaving New York for a state where they feel they will be more welcome.
"We're looking for a more friendly environment for our business," Frank Harris, vice president for sales and marketing for Kahr Firearms, said. "Maybe we could have stayed here and built a plant, but the way the bill was passed left us feeling that here were a lot of uncertainties going forward. Why take a chance when we can be in a state where they're not looking to cause us any problems?"
In January the New York legislature passed the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act. The SAFE Act prohibits magazines containing more than seven rounds, requires background checks for selling ammunition, requires registry of assault weapons and requires background checks for all weapon sales other than between family members, according to NBC News.
The firearms manufacturer purchased 620 acres in Pike County, Pa., where they plan to build corporate offices and eventually a factory. Currently Kahr has factories in Worcester, Mass., and Pillager, Minn., according to the Associated Press.
Prior to the SAFE Act's passage the company had intended on expanding in Orange County, N.Y., but decided that the political climate in New York was no longer to their liking, reports the Associated Press.
"We're all for stopping criminals, but this act is not going to do that," Harris said. "This will only hurt the responsible law-abiding citizens. The SAFE Act has unintended consequences and this is one of them."
Kahr Arms specializes in producing pistols intended to be used by people with a concealed carry license, all of which are legal under the SAFE Act. In addition to Kahr Arms the Kahr Firearms Group owns Auto Ordnance, Thompson and Magnum Research. It is the other brands that produce weapons that would be outlawed by the New York law, according to Guns.com.
