( CNN ) -- Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn has invited gunmakers such as Colt to relocate to his state from others including Connecticut , where firearms have been a controversial issue since a school shooting there last December left 20 students and six adults dead . The gun industry in Connecticut is being attacked and `` demonized '' because of national politics , Gunn said in a letter this week to Colt 's Manufacturing Company CEO Dennis Veilleux . He also invited gunmaker Magpul Industries Corp. of Colorado to relocate to Mississippi . Gunn , a Republican , said firearm manufacturers are `` under attack in anti-Second Amendment states . '' `` In our state , you will not be criticized for providing goods to the law-abiding citizens who enjoy hunting , shooting or who just want the peace of mind that comes with the constitutional right to protect their families , '' Gunn wrote to Colt on Thursday . `` We welcome you with open arms ! '' he said . In an interview with CNN affiliate WLBT , Gunn said having gunmakers move their operations to Mississippi is a `` natural match , '' saying the industry `` meshes well '' in a state with citizens who `` love to hunt , ... love to shoot , ( and ) people enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing they have the right to defend themselves . '' U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal , a Connecticut Democrat , said Gunn sent letters to three gunmakers in his state and called Gunn 's proposal `` preposterous . '' Connecticut residents support the Second Amendment and responsible gun ownership , `` far from demonizing firearms products made here , '' Blumenthal said in a statement . `` This preposterous pitch to companies with long , successful histories in our state shows the need for national standards and statutes to reduce gun violence , '' the senator said . `` Competition among states for less protective laws is a race to the bottom that should be avoided . The poison of illegal gun trafficking respects no state boundaries and threatens to cause more horrific tragedies like Newtown and the 1,900 gun violence deaths that have occurred since then . '' Newtown is the name of the Connecticut town where last December 's mass shooting occurred , at Sandy Hook Elementary School . Representatives for Colt and Magpul could n't be reached immediately for comment Friday . William `` Mo '' Cowan , interim U.S . Senator from Massachusetts , called Gunn 's attempt `` gimmicky '' and predicted it would n't work to draw Smith & Wesson from its base in Springfield , according to CNN affiliate WGGB . That sentiment was echoed by Springfield 's mayor , who said his city 's and Massachusetts ' skilled and educated workforce measured up favorably against those in Mississippi and other states . `` Smith & Wesson is not going anywhere , '' Mayor Dominic Sarno told WGGB , adding he still stands by his support for `` sensible gun control . '' `` They 've been a vital and good corporate citizen here in the city of Springfield . ''
NEW : Massachusetts politicians predict the bid to lure Smith & Wesson to Mississippi will fail . The gun industry in Connecticut is being `` demonized , '' says Mississippi 's House speaker . Gunmakers in `` anti-Second Amendment states '' wo n't be criticized in his state , he adds . A U.S. senator from Connecticut calls the pitch `` preposterous ''