Bristol Gun Maker PTR Industries Moving to South Carolina

An area gun manufacturer that was the first to announce its intentions to leave Connecticut following the passage of strict gun control laws has reportedly found a new home: Horry County in South Carolina. 

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported Wednesday that Bristol-based PTR Industries will formally announce the move down south next Monday, and will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Gov. Nikki Haley and other South Carolina lawmakers.

PTR made headlines in April when it announced on its websitethat it officially planned on leaving Connecticut following the passage of some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation. 

The company, which makes semi-automatic rifles, employs about 40 people in the state. PTR's chief executive officer, Josh Fiorini, said the company will employ 140 people in South Carolina, many of whom will relocate from Connecticut, NBC Connecticut reported. 

NBC also reported that the move would take place over three years.

New Britain-based Stag Arms has also been reportedly courted to come to Horry County. Stag Arms President Mark Malkowski told The Sun Newspaper the company is interested in that area of the country, although the company hasn’t said it definitively whether it plans to move.