PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A Republican state lawmaker is inviting firearms manufacturers to relocate to Rhode Island from other states he says are "hostile" to gun owners' rights.
House Minority Leader Brian Newberry of North Smithfield made the invitations Monday to Hartford, Conn.-based Colt's Manufacturing Co. and Beretta USA Corp. in Accokeek, Md.
Conservative Republicans across the country also are trying to lure gun makers in case they want to move out of states like Connecticut and Maryland that have passed strict new gun laws.
Newberry says Rhode Island has vacant factories that could support gun manufacturing, and the state would benefit from the jobs.
His invitation came on the eve of Tuesday's planned announcement of nine gun control bills by Rhode Island officials. Newberry says the bills would do nothing to deter criminals.
