Texas Gov. Rick Perry to Conn. gun manufacturer: 'Come on down!'

By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times - Sunday, April 14, 2013

Texas Governor Rick Perry assured gun manufacturer PTR Industries that it was more than welcome in the Lone Star State, after the company threatened to leave Connecticut when lawmakers banned high-capacity clips.

“Hey, PTR. Texas is still wide open for business!! Come on down!” the governor tweeted Friday.

A second gun company, Stag Arms, which makes AR-15-style rifles, also is threatening to leave Connecticut, Reuters reports.

Officials in Texas, as well as other gun-friendly states such as Florida and Arkansas, are trying to scoop up disenchanted gun businesses in anti-gun states.

“We want to send a message that Texas is wide open for business, whether you’re a weapons manufacturer or whether you’re a tubular steel manufacturer,” Mr. Perry told the media Friday.

“There is still a place for freedom that is very much alive and well. That place is called Texas.”

Reuters reports Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a possible Republican candidate for governor next year, bought ads on websites of news organizations in New York encouraging gun owners there to move to Texas.

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.