Mississippi politician urges gunmakers in Connecticut, elsewhere to relocate February 23, 2013 -- Updated 0602 GMT (1402 HKT) Voices of military-style gun owners Some people play golf ... I shoot Hunting Protection Collectable Fascinated by the Second Amendment 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 A U.S. senator from Connecticut calls the pitch "preposterous" (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. Arming the commander in chief 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." Newtown is the name of the Connecticut town where last December's mass shooting occurred, at Sandy Hook Elementary School. William "Mo" Cowan, interim U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, called Gunn's attempt "gimmicky" and predicted it wouldn'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.