Gov. Bill Richardson didn't get off easy, even though he took the time to come to Edgewood to do the honors at the ribbon cutting for the Single Action Shooting Society's new headquarters.

"We had to build a building to get you out here," said Boyd Davis, aka "The General."

Davis, the president and CEO of SASS, invited the governor to come out again for End of Trail, an annual event with timed shooting competitions and a variety of Western entertainment. It is held on the sprawling Founders Ranch, a 480-acre property with 1800s-style clapboard storefronts, tents and the facade of a Spanish church, horses, cowboys and girls and old Western guns galore. It draws a thousand or more of the SASS members from all over the world each year.

"Hell, we'll make you an honorary something," Davis said in an attempt to entice the governor to attend.

Richardson, who was the 60,000th person to join SASS, said he regretted not bringing his own gun to the ribbon cutting, a single action .22 caliber Colt.

Richardson said that the ribbon cutting — and SASS's move from Yorba Linda, Calif. to Edgewood several years ago — represents economic development, jobs, and it helps keep Western traditions alive.

"This is the best of all worlds," he said.

Before the ribbon was cut, Syd Masters sang "Under New Mexico Skies," which is now the New Mexico state cowboy song.

The governor cut the ribbon with help from Dolores Jones of Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative, Edgewood Town Councilor Glenn Felton and Moriarty City Councilor Steve Anaya.

And even though he'd left his guns at home, Richardson managed to leave the proceedings armed. Davis presented the governor with a reproduction of a 1851 Colt Navy pistol. The present was not just for coming down for the ribbon cutting, Davis said, but for helping SASS cut through red tape as well.

"It was thanking them for their assistance in coordinating it," he said. "It's the same bureaucracy here as in California."

He also gave Estancia Valley Economic Development credit for helping to change the name of the road the new headquarters is on from West Frontage Road to Cowboy Way.

"I told them that West Frontage Road really sucks," he said. "You can't imagine the nonsense just to change the name, the politics involved in getting that minor thing taken care of. It was a major undertaking."

Although it can be a headache, Davis said the efforts have a payoff.

"The people are my favorite aspect … SASS attracts an absolutely marvelous bunch of people," he said. "It's a bunch of cowboy hats with a smile under it."

The new building is about 8,000 square feet and came with about a $1 million price tag and is decorated with Western art. If nearby landowners agree, members and employees could hitch their horses near the building, then ride them under Juan Tomas bridge, which goes under Interstate 40, and all the way south to Founder's Ranch.

"We love it," said LouAnn Hunt ("Cimarron Lou"). "The view is magnificent … the location is wonderful. It's very quiet."

She said that the ribbon cutting was important because it means SASS is now a presence in Edgewood.

"We announced this two years ago," she said. "We've seen it to fruition."