Recently, Smith & Wesson has joined some 20 companies in moving out of left-wing controlled states in favor of freedom-loving red states. It is both a smart business choice and a stand against their historic homes. It’s not just a company that is leaving, it’s the jobs, the workers, and the economic infusion it delivers to an area, especially companies the size of Smith & Wesson. However, sometimes enough is enough. Politics, increasing utility costs, and tax benefits are all reasons why gun companies are leaving. But it also means that there is no hope for those states to change. The list of companies that are relocating partially or all their operations includes Weatherby, Beretta USA, Mossberg, Magpul, Stag Arms, Kimber, Remington, Olin Corp, PTR Industries, Colt Competition, Heckler & Koch, Troy Industries, FN, and Armalite. These companies are going South and West to find freedom.

Commemoration

To mark their historic move and the opening of their Maryville Tennessee facility, Smith & Wesson has released a few special edition pistols. These pistols include the M&P Shield Plus (OR with or without thumb safety), M&P 9 M2.0, and the M&P 9 M2.0 Compact. All are stock offerings but come with the Tennessee logo engraved on the barrel. While I wouldn’t call these guns new, it is still cool to see Smith & Wesson commemorate a special occasion. Pricing for the Shield Plus models is $549.00 and the larger M&Ps will be set at $669.00.

While the desire for these pistols will be more to the collector, their significance is broader. The moves of the companies listed above, and presumably more as time goes on, show the circling of the wagons that our Country is going through. The division of people is rampant. And in an election year, it will only get worse.