UPDATE: Jamie Hanson says via email that Richard Fitzpatrick’s “51 percent ownership of Merlot Burger LLC would in no way impact a move out of state for Magpul if this bill passes and Magpul will move.”
Threats from Erie-based rifle accessories manufacturer
Magpul Industries may face complications from Magpul CEO Richard Fitzpatrick’s
ownership interest in a Boulder restaurant in planning.
Magpul has threatened to move its manufacturing operation
from the state — and has strengthened its threats against Colorado by,
recently, saying it would only sell gun magazines to law enforcement officers
who pledged an oath to uphold the Second and 14th Amendments — in reaction to
potential gun control legislation being considered in the Colorado Legislature.
But the company’s plans clash with the fact that Magpul CEO
Richard Fitzpatrick is the CEO, manager and majority owner of a burger restaurant,
Merlot Burger, that recently applied for a new liquor license in Boulder.
Fitzpatrick is a 51-percent member of Merlot Burger LLC,
which is opening a restaurant at Baseline Crossing, the upcoming development at
Baseline and U.S. 36.
Jamie Hanson, a minority owner and the registered COO of
Merlot Burger, confirmed that the Magpul CEO and Merlot Burger CEO are the same
person. She said in an email that Fitzpatrick would not be available to talk to
Boulder Weekly without talking first
to Magpul’s public relations staff. By press time, he had not contacted BW. Hanson said Fitzpatrick was “not
opposed to” speaking to BW.
Respond: [email protected]
