BREAKING: Remington Bails on New York for Alabama

By Robert Farago on February 15, 2014

“High level sources have informed Yellowhammer News that Remington, one of the world’s largest gun manufacturers, will on Monday join Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley in announcing that they are bringing over 2,000 jobs to Alabama. The company is viewing the move into Alabama as an expansion, but it will likely impact their Ilion, NY plant as well. The New York facility currently employees around 1,200 people. It is expected to stay open, but with a reduced workforce.” Expansion, yes. But Big Green’s move to the Yellowhammer State is nothing if not an escape from New York. As Yellowhammer makes clear . . .

Remington first began considering new locations after the New York legislature passed the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act in response to the tragic shootings in Newtown, Conn. In addition to banning magazines that contain more than seven rounds and requiring instant background checks on ammo purchases,  the NY SAFE Act broadened the definition of so-called “assault weapons” to include a wide range of guns, including the Bushmaster, which was being manufactured at Remington’s New York plant.
Almost half the states in the country have made pitches to Remington, included Arizona, Oklahoma, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. But in the end, the company chose Huntsville, Ala.

Governor Cuomo and his civilian disarmament allies have some ‘splainin’ to do. On the downside, Remington’s departure will take the reins off of notorious gun grabber Senator Chuck Schumer, who’s been chomping at the bit to ban guns since ever. How will this move effect Cerberus’ longstanding as-yet-unrealized plan to sell the Freedom Group? Dunno. Meanwhile, the distinction between “slave states” (states favoring gun control) and “free states” (states recognizing firearms freedom) continues apace.