Just after California doubled the excise tax on firearms and ammo in the state, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem offered makers and gun owners an escape to a more welcoming environment.
Noem, a Republican who has been outspokenly pro-gun while in office, issued a statement last week following California Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature on 23 anti-gun bills, including one that bumped the mandatory excise tax on guns and ammunition by 11 percent across the board.
"Why would anyone want to live in a state where your Second Amendment rights are infringed?" said Noem. "South Dakota has been setting the standard as the most Second Amendment-friendly state in the nation for years. Our firearms industry is thriving. Unlike Governor Newsom, South Dakota respects our God-given rights. So, if you are a California gun manufacturer or law-abiding gun owner, we are ready to help you make the move!"
According to Noem's office, South Dakota’s firearms industry has a $400 million annual public impact, and the state’s concentration of employment in the firearms industry is also 77 percent higher than the national average and 177 percent higher than California’s. Besides several household names that have long called the SoDak area home such as Bar-Sto, HS Precision, and Silencer Central – the latter of which has expanded from 17 employees in Sioux Falls to more than 120 – the state in recent years has welcomed tactical gear maker Cole-TAC from New Hampshire to the Black Hills.
California has been hemorrhaging gun companies over the past several decades, with icons like ArmaLite and AutoMag closing their doors long ago only to be reborn years later on the other side of the country. ZevTec, originally founded in Oxnard, California, moved to Washington in 2017. In 2018, rifle maker Weatherby moved its corporate headquarters and manufacturing center from Paso Robles, California to a new plant in Sheridan, Wyoming. Last year, 80 Percent Arms announced a move from California to a new facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
Nonetheless, California still has nearly 80 Type 7 FFLs – federally licensed firearm manufacturers – as of 2021 that made a combined total of over 80,000 guns that year. Among the highest volume of these were Excel Arms, FMK Firearms, and budget pistol maker Phoenix Arms.
"The Governor’s Office of Economic Development is equipped to help those interested in moving to South Dakota," noted Noem's office, pointing those curious to her "Freedom Works Here" website.
Banner image: Noem on the hunt, via her office.
