REMARMS PIVOTS FROM ANTI-GUN NY TO FRIENDLIER GEORGIA

9th Nov 2021

Georgia's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday that RemArms will move its global headquarters from New York to a new facility in the Peach State.

The company, formed from the remnants of Remington Outdoors last year, plans to open a new manufacturing operation as well as a "world-class research and development center" in LaGrange, Georgia. In the end, the $100 million investment which is billed at creating 856 jobs over a five-year period in Troup County, just southwest of Atlanta.

Georgia is already home to black rifle maker Daniel Defense, located in Black Creek; Heckler & Koch, located in Columbus; and Taurus/Heritage/Rossi, located in Bainbridge.

“The state’s firearms industry is responsible for thousands of Georgia jobs and millions of dollars of investment in our communities,” said Governor Kemp. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Remington Firearms, with its rich American history, to their new home and global headquarters in the Peach State. I look forward to seeing the opportunities RemArms creates across west Georgia."

RemArms, formed around the old company's historic New York factory along with a Tennessee-based pistol barrel plant, which was acquired by the Roundhill Group for $13 million. About half of the 585 unionized workers in the Empire State, laid off in the meantime, returned to the traditional factory under the new company in May and have been making a reduced catalog of legacy Remington offerings including the 870 shotgun and Model 700 bolt-action rifle.

"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," said Ken D’Arcy, RemArms CEO, in a statement through Kemp's office.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GA AND NY

Historically a red state, Georgia controversially went for Biden in the 2020 election and sent two Democratic Senators to Congress in close votes. However, the state has passed concealed carry expansions and pro-gun bills in recent years while proposed arbitrary bans on so-called "assault weapons" have failed to gain any traction in the legislature despite the growing influence of urban Democrats. Kemp released a series of ads backing his avowed pro-gun stance during his 2018 campaign against Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams who ran on an anti-gun ticket.

Meanwhile, despite the looming specter of the possible loss of hundreds of good-paying manufacturing jobs from upstate New York, while Kemp's office was announcing the RemArms deal, New York's Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul was signing a bill to spend taxpayer funds on the creation of a state "Firearm Violence Research Institute." The measure was supported by a host of anti-gun groups including New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Gays Against Guns, Moms Demand Action, Giffords, and the Brady Campaign, likely pointing towards the expected outcome of the planned institute's research.

Last week, Hochul signed several other gun restrictions including one that would make it a felony to possess an incomplete "80 percent" receiver or frame kit. Violations can bring five years in prison and is on the same level as some manslaughter convictions.

NOT THE ONLY COMPANY MOVING SOUTH

The news of RemArms' expansion to Georgia comes just months after another historic firearms maker shifted its New York headquarters down South. Last October, Kimber announced they were ditching SAFE Act New York-- which forced them to close for a period during the COVID outbreak as a "nonessential business"-- for more welcoming digs in Alabama. In a further example, Check-Mate Industries-- known for a wide range of products including both surgical tools and well-received firearms magazines-- was long based in Babylon, New York. In 2019, Check-Mate began moving a lot of production to a new location in Thomasville, Georgia, creating 230 jobs there.

Similarly, Smith & Wesson last month signaled it would transfer the bulk of its manufacturing to a new plant in Tennessee, citing it was leaving its iconic home in Massachusetts after over 150 years due to anti-gun pushes by lawmakers there. The company broke ground in Maryville, Tennessee last week on a facility expected to bring some 750 jobs.

"Remington Arms’ decision to establish a corporate headquarters and expand production in Georgia demonstrates, yet again, that firearm manufacturers are protecting their business against unwarranted hostility by gun control politicians," Mark Oliva, director of public affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, told Guns.com. "New York continues to target firearm manufacturers to wrongfully attempt to hold them responsible for the criminal actions of those who ignore the law. Georgia has a long-standing history of respect for Second Amendment rights and welcoming firearm manufacturers. This is welcome news for those who want to see a historic figure in the firearm industry continue to prosper."