In an announcement that had many in the firearms industry talking, legendary firearms manufacturer Weatherby announced that it is moving its operations to Wyoming and leaving California in its rearview mirror.
The announcement came on the first day of the 40th annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.
According to Ed Weatherby, the company’s new headquarters building will be built on the north side of Sheridan, and it will house everything including manufacturing, marketing and sales, and the business office. He is hoping to be in by the second quarter of 2019.
For the Golden State — described by the Casper Star Tribune as “a state that isn’t gun friendly” — this means a loss of revenue and jobs, not to mention a slap in the face of a Democrat-controlled legislature that seems intent on erasing the Second Amendment, and taxing businesses to the max.
As reported by SFGate, “A proposed Assembly Constitutional Amendment by Assemblymen Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, and Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, would create a tax surcharge on California companies making more than $1 million…”
While Democrats say the proposal is aimed at supporting middle class families who will suffer under the Trump administration’s tax reform, it is viewed by conservatives as another way liberals are choking business.
Tuesday’s announcement included an appearance by Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead. The company will be moving to Sheridan. It is expected to provide 70 to 90 new jobs and an annual payroll of more than $5 million over the next five years. Weatherby said the move will likely provide job opportunities for residents in the Sheridan area.
Adam Weatherby, CEO of the company and grandson to founder Roy Weatherby, said in a statement that, “We wanted a place where we could retain a great workforce, and where our employees could live an outdoor lifestyle. We wanted to move to a state where we can grow into our brand. Wyoming means new opportunities. We are not interested in maintaining; we are growing.”
Meanwhile, California is in trouble. The Democrat “super majority” has been crippled by recent political scandals that resulted in the resignations of two Democrats from the Assembly amid allegations of sexual misconduct. A third Democrat is on a “leave of absence” and facing a pending investigation into alleged sexual misconduct, SFGate reported.
In Las Vegas, most of the talk among firearms media professionals suggested that California should have expected nothing less. The Legislature has been brutal on gun owners and retailers, and some writers say privately that Weatherby’s move is “long overdue.”
