According to recent reports, firearm manufacturer Remington is leaving New York after more than 200 years to relocate to Georgia. The nation’s older gun manufacturer has cited “production inefficiencies” as a driver behind the initiative to re-establish the business in the southern red state.
Additional reports suggest that Remington is seeking an environment that is friendlier to the firearms industry, where the company noted that Georgia “supports and welcomes the firearms industry.” CEO Ken Darcy also stated the company was concerned about the “legislative environment” in New York.
Republicans in New York have blamed restrictive gun control measures pursued by Democrat legislatures as a reason for driving out Remington. Rep. Elise Stefanik took the opportunity to criticize New York Democrats and their “unconstitutional” gun policies.
“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,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
Residents of Ilion, New York, have expressed concern over the gun manufacturer’s exiting its presence in the Mohawk Valley as it was the “soul” of the town. “Two hundred and eight years of history. Gone, gone,” Ilion Mayor John P. Stephens said. “Ilion is Remington. Remington is Ilion.”
Community members have illustrated how Remington was a prominent source of employment for Ilion, where many will be without a job. “My mom worked there. My dad worked there. My wife works there with me now. My daughter works there with me now. My second daughter works there with me now. And my son-in-law works there,” said Frank “Rusty” Brown, a furnace operator and technician at the Remington factory. “So it’s a double-hit for me and my wife: two of us out of a job.”
”It’s like the town is losing its soul. It’s almost like losing a family member. That’s the thing that people are struggling with, the nostalgia, the history. It feels like we are losing the identity of the town,” Mayor Stephens continued. “I’ve spoken to a few businesses, that’s the part financially that’s going to hurt. Even if it’s only 300 people, they still buy gas, they still buy shoes. That’s going to be a hit to the local businesses,” he added.
In a statement last year, Darcy noted that RemArms is “excited” about the move given Georgia’s commitment to honoring the Second Amendment. While Remington’s relocation may be a devastating loss to the New York community it is leaving, the business investment will inevitably bring economic opportunities to Georgia.
“We are very excited to come to Georgia, a state that not only welcomes business but enthusiastically supports and welcomes companies in the firearms industry,” the CEO said. “Everyone involved in this process has shown how important business is to the state and how welcoming they are to all business, including the firearms industry.”
"*" indicates required fields