Company Leaves State It Was Founded In For Georgia
The iconic gun manufacturer, Remington Arms, announced that it will be closing its plant in Ilion, New York, in early March 2024.
This decision, made by CEO Ken D’Arcy, was prompted by the concerning legislative environment in the state. D’Arcy expressed how the direction of legislation in New York has been a cause for concern for the firearm industry as a whole.
The Ilion plant, established in 1828, has been a major source of employment for generations of New Yorkers. Jim Conover, who began working at the plant in 1964 and continued to work for Remington for four decades, shared his thoughts on the closure, saying “When Remington leaves, it’s not going to be like a facility leaving, it’s going to be like part of your family has moved off.”
News of the plant closure was met with disappointment and concern from state officials. New York State Senator Joseph Griffo, Assemblyman Brian Miller, and Assemblyman Robert Smullen released a joint statement expressing their worries about the closure, especially for the employees and their families. They also highlighted the burdensome regulations, taxes, and policies in the state that are driving businesses away.
One of the main drivers leading to Remington’s decision to close the plant is New York’s strict gun control laws. The state is ranked No. 2 in the country by Everytown for Gun Safety for having the most stringent gun control laws. Some of these laws include an “assault weapons” ban, a “high-capacity” magazine ban, universal background checks, and a red flag law, just to name a few.
In response to concerns about the fraud verdict against former President Donald Trump, New York Attorney General Letitia James addressed the issue, emphasizing the severity of the financial frauds committed by Trump. Katersky questioned her about the argument that no victims were harmed, but James reiterated that “financial frauds are not victimless crimes” and that the extent of the fraud was “staggering.”
Katersky also brought up Trump’s claim that the penalty would drive businesses out of New York, specifically naming Wall Street. James confidently stated that she’s not worried, as “tourism is up and Wall Street is doing just fine.”
While the closure of the Remington plant may add to concerns about businesses leaving the state, James believes that New York’s economy is still thriving.
Overall, the decision to close the Remington plant has sparked conversations about the state of the firearm industry and the impact of New York’s gun control laws. While some officials express concern about the closure and the state’s legislative environment, others, like James, remain confident in the state’s economy. As the plant prepares to shutter its doors, the future of New York’s economy and gun industry remains uncertain.