Remington Arms Company opened its famous Ilion, New York plant in 1828, back in the early days of the firearms factories, before the revolver was invented and when interchangeable parts were finally coming to firearms, thanks in no small part to the high-quality work done by the Ilion facility. Now, RemArms, the successor company to Remington, is closing down the famed plant and laying off all the employees, many of whom are in families that have worked there for generations.
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York blamed the tragic news of the historic plant’s closure on the policies of New York’s radically anti-gun politicians, primarily Gov. Hochul and the Democrats in the state legislature, whom she accused of running Remington and its manufacturing capabilities out of the state with their anti-gun policies.
In her statement on the plant’s closure, Rep. Stefanik said, “It is because of New York Democrats’ unconstitutional gun grab policies that the oldest gun manufacturer in the country has been run out of the state. I have spoken with local officials and Remington Arms union members in United Mine Workers of America, Local 717 about how we must stand up to New York’s failed unconstitutional gun bans. Hochul must stop her unconstitutional assault on the Second Amendment now.”
She posted on X (formerly Twitter) about the issue as well, saying, “Remington Arms has been one of #NY21’s most beloved employers for decades. Kathy Hochul’s attack on #2A will yet again cost hundreds of hardworking families in Upstate New York their jobs. Truly despicable.”
New York State Senator Joseph Griffo (R-C-Rome), Assemblyman Brian Miller (R-C-New Hartford), and Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R-C-Meco) released a statement on the plant’s closure as well, saying, “Remington’s reported decision to close its Ilion plant next year is concerning and unfortunate. This facility, which received investment from the state, employs many local residents. Unfortunately, like we have seen all too often in New York, burdensome regulations, crippling taxes and problematic energy and other policies continue to force businesses and companies to flee the state, taking jobs and livelihoods with them. We will continue to communicate with state and federal officials and work to help and assist the company’s employees and their families during this difficult time.”
Joining them was State Senator Mark Walczyk, who said, “Albany Democrats and their failed policies are directly responsible for the closure of this facility and the unemployment of roughly 250-300 New Yorkers. Governors Cuomo and Hochul signed laws such as S7196 -2021, the Gun Industry Liability Law, and the costly effects of the gas ban, that have pushed another good business out of New York State. I’ve opposed these shameful policies from the beginning and it’s disheartening to see the Mohawk Valley suffer the consequences of the least friendly business climate in the nation. My heart goes out to the families affected by this closure as the announcement hits just before the holidays. My office remains ready to assist those impacted in any way.”
Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, for her part, said, “It is devastating to hear the news about Remington Arms. I stood with the United Mine Workers and their families in 2020 and acted as a conduit between the State of New York and the new owners. I truly believe the employees at RemArms are a strong and dedicated workforce at the Ilion plant. While I do not represent the district, I represent the community, I have met many of these families and I’m here to offer the support that they need during these challenging times.”
The Ilion plant, which will close fully in March of 2024, occupies 34 acres in the Village of Illion. During the heady days of the 1970s and 1980s, when the Remington 700 was still the gold standard for bolt action rifles, the plant boasted a whopping 3000 employees. That number fell to 1,500 by 2012, then 1,200 by 2017.
At that point in late 2017, the facility was still large, using over 3000 machine tools and 3700 pieces of manufacturing equipment to make firearms and firearm parts. Though shrinking, it served as the largest employer in Herkimer County. It kept shrinking, however, and when the news that the plant would close was announced, only 400 employees were left.
Remington has now moved its manufacturing and headquarters to red states in the southeast. It moved its worldwide headquarters to LaGrange, Georgia, in 2021, a $100 million deal that brought 850 jobs to the Georgia town. It also announced in January of 2023 that it had moved production of its famous Remington 700 line to a manufacturing plant in Georgia. Those moves followed Remington’s building of a plant in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2014.
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