Dear editor:

On, Jan. 24, seven of the most effective leaders in America, all of them Republican governors, gathered at the annual Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. They arrived with an intent to outduel each in one competition: saving Second Amendment related companies and bringing them  back to America. Wyoming led. Wyoming Business Council was there.

These companies are stuck in “blue states” that look nothing like they did 100 years ago. It should come as no surprise that Wyoming has been one of the most successful at going to get them. Gov. Matt Mead was one of the first to figure out that “re-homing” these companies could benefit not just our state, but every American who cares about the Second Amendment. These are the types of businesses, jobs, and people that benefit Wyoming. Wyoming Business Council was part of it.

It started with a bold move to lure magazine and accessory manufacturer Magpul from neighboring Colorado. Mission accomplished — over 200 Wyoming jobs. The work expanded bringing Kel-tech to Rock Springs, Weatherby to Sheridan, expanding Gunwerks in Cody, growing Maven in Lander, Kifaru in Riverton, Stag, Hi-Viz, Peak 44, and many more, with too many small support businesses to count. Thanks to these companies it is impossible to enter a gun store in America that doesn’t have Wyoming products on the shelf.

How successful is Wyoming? Wyoming’s gun economy provides over $400 million to the state economy every year. Wyoming is fourth in the nation in firearm related economic output per capita. Wyoming is second in firearm jobs per capita. We are sixth in firearm job growth per capita. We are fourth in firearm excise tax benefits received per citizen.

How did we get here? The gun industry is about 10% of the national $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy (including firearm companies); only the mineral industry is more important to Wyoming’s economy. Gov. Mead came up with the plan to make Wyoming ground zero for Second Amendment companies coming home — back to America. He executed it. Gov. Mark Gordon built onto it. Wyoming’s Business Council was critical.

The Wyoming Business Council developed these leads. They maintain an aggressive outreach and marketing effort at our trade show (the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade, or SHOT Show). Without their past work none of these are Wyoming companies.

At SHOT Show Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, Utah, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Nevada, Georgia, and other states’ “business councils” are trying to replicate what Wyoming did. States are competing. The competition is steep. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

There is nothing wrong with analyzing past work and asking the question “how can we do better?” We should. Wyoming is a small state. Our larger neighbors are trying to take our businesses, kids, resources, and even co-op our cowboy culture. We need to compete. Wyoming can improve the business council. We should. But quitting and improving are not the same thing. 

Nephi Cole

Director Government Relations — State Affairs

The National Shooting Sports Foundation

Former policy adviser for Wyoming Gov. Matthew H. Mead