In a move that’s shaking up the small town of Ilion, New York, the iconic Remington gun factory is packing its bags after a whopping 208 years and heading south to Georgia. This decision isn’t just about business for some—it’s about history, community, and identity.
“Two hundred and eight years of history. Gone, gone,” lamented Ilion’s Mayor John P. Stephens. “Ilion is Remington. Remington is Ilion.” The sentiment feels the same across the town, where generations have become so accustomed to the factory’s legacy.
For many, Remington isn’t just a workplace; they feel like they are part of a family. “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,” shared retired employee Jim Conover.
Every family in the area seems to share the same sentiment, because working at Remington was a tradition passed down through generations. But why the move? Well, it is because of New York’s strict gun laws. Big gun companies are excited to set up shop in a state that’s more gun-friendly.
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It’s still a business decision but it’s also about finding a place where they can work profitably without feeling restricted. About 300 of Ilion residents will soon be out of a job. For families like the Conovers, who have more than one family member working at Remington, it’s a double blow. “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,” Mayor Stephens said.
Local businesses are also getting hit. “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.
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That’s going to be a hit to the local businesses,” added Stephens. The exit of Remington means that fewer customers will come to the mom-and-pop shops that have always received customers from the factory.
But Remington’s move isn’t any different from other gun manufacturers that have been leaving the northeast towards the south. Just last year, Smith & Wesson made their own move too from Massachusetts to Tennessee. This isn’t just about economic factors—it’s about finding a place where the industry feels welcomed and supported.
Politicians are weighing in too. “Hochul must stop her unconstitutional assault on the Second Amendment now,” Rep. Elise Stefanik said, speaking most people’s minds about New York’s gun laws.
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Meanwhile, over in Georgia, there’s a warm welcome waiting for Remington. “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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