Mr. Matthew Gray
Senior Policy Advisor
The Office of Senator John Vasconcellos
Dean of the Legislature
State Capitol, Room 5108
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph. 916-445-9740
Fax 916-324-0283
Dear Mr. Gray,
I am the owner of E.D.M. Arms, California's only manufacturer of fifty
caliber rifles. Our factory is located in Redlands, where we employ over 15
people in a multi-million dollar precision machining facility. In addition
to paying over $100,000 in state taxes annually, E.D.M. supports numerous
neighboring businesses, purchasing parts and services from such firms as
Pelican Products, Inc. in Torrance. We provide not only jobs, but train our
employees on valuable, state-of-the-art technologies such as Electrical
Discharge and CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) Machining. We are a
longstanding part of our community, providing support and assistance to both
the military and law enforcement communities since opening our doors in
1979.
I share this with you because if proposed bill AB-50 passes into law, I will
be forced to relocate my facility outside of the state of California. The
taxpaying citizens who work for me would become unemployed and the companies
we patronize would lose a high-volume and reptuable client. The state would
lose a tremendous stream of tax revenue and another California building
would stand vacant. I'm sure you will agree, driving prosperous companies
out of the state is no way to deal with a horrific budget crisis.
I urge you to do all you can to oppose AB-50. As an industry-leading
manufacturer I can tell you that the statements made to justify this bill
are complete and utter fabrications. The undisputed fact is that not one of
my firearms, or any .50 caliber rifle, has ever been used in a crime of any
sort in this state. Please help me continue to provide for my hard-working,
loyal employees and allow me to contribute, as I have for almost 25 years,
to the economy of California. Do not let rhetoric and baseless claims drive
me away from my home.
Sincerely,
Bill Ritchie
E.D.M. Arms
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