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April 24, 2025
Montana Governor Hunts for Colorado Gun Makers Frustrated by New Laws
Montana’s Gov. Greg Gianforte is taking a shot across state lines in an effort to offer gun manufacturers a chance “to move back to America.”
The Big Sky State’s governor is letting it be known without any uncertainty. There’s plenty of room – and plenty of freedom for the firearm industry in Montana after neighboring Colorado’s Gov. Jared Polis signed SB3, a law the bans the bans the manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing of Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs), unless a gun purchaser first options a permit-to-purchase the rifle.
NSSF opposed the legislation, which started out as a complete and total ban but was only changed to the “permit-to-purchase” scheme when it became clear the outright ban would be a political albatross too great for Gov. Polis to bear. When Gov. Polis signed it into law, NSSF condemned his decision with NSSF’s Larry Keane saying in a press release, “This law is unconstitutional on its face. It is a gun control group spurred attack on the Second Amendment rights of those who follow the law. Colorado lawmakers who claim Gov. Polis’ gun ban will make their state safer have yet to offer legislation that would hold criminals accountable for the criminal misuse of firearms. Instead, they violate the rights of those who obey the law.”
The new law goes into effect in August 2026, but Gov. Gianforte is telling firearm industry members in Colorado that freedom from overbearing gun laws is alive and well in Montana.
Call to Arms(makers)
Gov. Gianforte released his call to arms makers on X, with a note. “To all gun manufacturers in Colorado, my question for you is simple: do you want to move back to America?”
To all gun manufacturers in Colorado, my question for you is simple: do you want to move back to America? pic.twitter.com/JTiQdbmCGJ
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) April 23, 2025
“The Democrat governor of Colorado signed into law one of the most restrictive gun bans ever adopted in the United States,” Gov. Gianforte said. “The law bans the manufacturing and selling of semiautomatic firearms. This is on top of the liberal state’s existing ban on high-capacity magazines. That’s just crazy.”
Gov. Gianforte pointed out that Colorado stands to lose a significant amount of business, jobs and tax revenue if firearm industry members take him up on his offer to seek greener pastures in Montana.
“If you needed another sign Democrat governors are out of touch with reality, well here it is. Colorado is ranked in the top 10 states with the biggest gun industry,” Gov. Gianforte explained. “So, to all gun manufacturers in Colorado, my question to you is simple. Do you want to move back to America?”
Dollars and Sense
He’s not wrong. NSSF’s own 2025 Economic Impact Report ranks Colorado among the Top 10 States of Growth in Economic Output from firearm and ammunition businesses. Colorado’s total firearm and ammunition economic thumbprint on the state cashes in at over $1.3 billion in total economic output. That includes nearly 7,000 jobs and over $197 million paid in federal, state and local taxes.
Gov. Gianforte wants to make that part of Montana’s economy.
It’s not an unfamiliar pitch for Gov. Gianforte. He’s a regular attendee at NSSF’s SHOT Show® in Las Vegas and takes part in the Governors’ Forum, where he spells out what his state is doing to attract and keep firearm and ammunition businesses. While there, he’s looking for businesses ready to set roots in his state.
Recent years have brought big moves – and big economic returns – to Montana with Gov. Gianforte playing an active role. Ultimate Defense Technologies moved from Arizona to Billings, Mont., after meeting Gov. Gianforte at SHOT Show 2023 and opened their new firearm safety systems solutions headquarters in September 2024. Olympus Arms celebrated production expansion in Helena, Mont., after the company announced an investment of $50 million with plans to add jobs for 60 employees. Brixtel Defense, an ammunition manufacturer, announced their relocation from Virginia to Dawson County in Montana, adding a $125 million investment in and bringing 125 jobs, with plans for a total of 350 jobs. Alpha Loading Systems, an ammunition loading and primer machinery manufacturer, announced in 2023 it was expanding its footprint in western Montana and tripling its workforce. Shield Arms announced an expansion and move into a new $5 million 36,000 square foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Bigfork that will also bring 30 new jobs to its existing 40 employee footprint.
“Montana is open for business, home to more than 150 firearms and ammunition manufacturers, the highest per capita in the country,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We are a Constitutional Carry state that has enacted laws outlawing discrimination against gun and ammunition manufacturers. In Montana, we embrace freedom and the free enterprise system.
He added, “Come on home to America, right here in Montana.”
You may also be interested in:
Several Pro-Industry Governors Display Second Amendment Bona Fides at SHOT Show® Forum
NSSF Condemns Gov. Polis’ Signature of Unconstitutional Law Limiting Second Amendment Rights
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