We recently heard the news about Smith & Wesson relocating the majority of its production from Massachusetts to Tennessee. The reasons entail less burdensome regulations and being in a state that’s friendly to the Second Amendment.
The truth is Smith & Wesson is far from alone. Now, news is coming out that Remington will also be refocusing its production in the state of Georgia, instead of its current location in Ilium, New York.
It’s part of a larger trend of companies packing up from blue states like New York and California and moving to red states in the Deep South.
Why is Remington Moving?
According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ken D’Arcy, Remington’s decision to move is “very simple.” Georgia is good for their bottom line; the state also respects and welcomes firearms production and sales.
The Peach State is home to many companies including Taurus, Daniel Defense, BPI Outdoors, and Glock. These are located across the state in various places, bringing many job opportunities and economic growth to the state.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said he welcomes Remington building headquarters in La Grange; this is about an hour southwest of Atlanta and located next to the Alabama border.
The creation of its corporate headquarters will bring about 900 jobs to the area and around $100 million in funding for the new global headquarters.
Gun maker Remington moving to Georgia from N.Y. in $100 million deal https://t.co/WETUVoqsrr via @cbsmoneywatch
— D.R. Couric (@DRCouric) November 10, 2021
Rough Times for Remington
Remington is an iconic American brand that was established in 1816. Last year, it went through bankruptcy proceedings and got purchased by investors from the Roundhill Group. Now, it’s finding its legs once again.
The New York location will continue to make guns and offer jobs; Georgia will become the focus of its operations and location of its new global headquarters.
New York is becoming increasingly unfriendly to the 2A, with former Governor Andrew Cuomo closing gun factories during the pandemic. The former governor also refused gun factories’ repeated offers to start producing personal protective equipment and emergency supplies to help fight COVID.
There are a few gun manufacturers in GA… Taurus, Glock, Daniel Defense, Heckler & Koch, and now Remington.
— J. B. (@Qocaine_) November 10, 2021
The Bottom Line
Many companies are moving from blue states to red states. Nowhere is this more true than in the firearms industry. It’s hard to do business in a climate that’s against you and doesn’t want to see you succeed.
The fact that Cuomo turned down help from Remington to save lives during COVID is all the proof you need about the kind of obsessive anti-gun attitude that’s found in the government of blue states.
A state like Georgia is much more gun-friendly and won’t play the political games of blue states with gun manufacturers. Georgia actually appreciates jobs and understands the foundational importance of the 2A.
Remington’s decision to focus its global headquarters in La Grange is savvy and well-thought-out. Good luck to them.