Gardner invites Hickenlooper to tour gun parts maker

ERIE — Rep. Cory Gardner has invited Gov. John Hickenlooper to tour Magpul Industries, a gun-parts manufacturer in Erie that has threatened to leave the state if Colorado passes laws placing new restrictions on firearms.

In a letter dated Wednesday to the governor, Gardner said, “Striving to keep our children and our communities safe is an admirable goal and one that I believe we share. … Magpul is threatening to leave our state, taking hundreds of jobs with it, as the direct result of gun control legislation that is not even going to make us any safer.”

Magpul Industries makes weapons components and high-capacity ammunition magazines and has threatened to leave if the state bans ownership of magazines that hold 15 rounds or more.

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Earlier this week, the Colorado House passed four gun-control measures, one of which limits magazines to 15 rounds.

The measure must make it through the Senate, where Democrats hold a 20-15 advantage and need 18 votes to pass a bill.

Magpul directly employs 150 people, according to a Denver Post report.

Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and Congressman Jeff Duncan of South Carolina have already reached out to Magpul, asking the company to relocate to their states, which they say are more friendly to the Second Amendment, according to a release from Gardner’s office.