The Remington gun factory, the nation’s oldest gun manufacturer, is closing its doors in New York after over 200 years and moving to Georgia.
This decision will result in about 300 job losses in the town of Ilion, leading to a significant economic impact and loss of community identity.
“Two hundred and eight years of history. Gone, gone,” Ilion, New York, Mayor John P. Stephens said. “Ilion is Remington. Remington is Ilion.”
“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,” retired Remington employee Jim Conover said.
The move is attributed to New York’s restrictive gun laws, with company officials expressing excitement about relocating to a state that supports the Second Amendment.
“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,” one resident said. “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,” Stephens said.
“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.
The shift mirrors a trend of gun manufacturers moving from the northeast to southern states, with Smith & Wesson relocating from Massachusetts to Tennessee last year.
“Hochul must stop her unconstitutional assault on the Second Amendment now,” Rep. Elise Stefanik said.
“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,” RemArms CEO Ken D’Arcy stated. “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.”
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