Lawmakers Weigh In On The Future Of Remington Arms
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: March 8, 2013
Remington Arms is making a $20 million dollar investment in upgrades to
its Ilion plant. For months we've heard from concerned community
members, but almost nothing from the gun-maker itself. With 200 years of
history and a massive infrastructure in Ilion, why would Remington
leave?
While Remington is located in New York where the SAFE-Act was enacted, residents of our state make up just a small percentage of customers for the large gun-maker. We talk with area lawmakers to ask the question - was there ever a threat that Remington would actually leave Ilion?
"They can't sell some of their products to the people who build them for them or in the state," says Representative Richard Hanna, (R) 22nd district.
"But New York is just a small client to them," says Rachel Polansky, reporter.
"You're right about that, if they left the state, it wouldn't change that dynamic," says Representative Hanna.
Some gun advocates say the New York SAFE-Act hurts the New York gun buyer, but it doesn't limit the New York gun maker from manufacturing. Still...
"With the SAFE-Act, that was a concern for them, but the bigger concern from them is the momentum from the state toward stricter gun laws," says Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, (D) District 119.
"Very public way the Governor went through this all affects customers. They're like what are you doing to New York state? These people are unfriendly to us, we 're your customers, we're buying, support us," says Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, (R) District 101.
But after meeting with Remington officials, our state lawmakers say the fears of Remington leaving Ilion are warranted.
"What's concerning to me is that they have had conversations. They told us that they did have a conversation with Governor Rick Perry from Texas so they're gonna evaluate their options," says Assemblyman Brindisi.
"Don't forget they're for sale so if a new buyer comes in they're gonna look at their future earnings and equity. So where they stand, I think they don't think its their obligation to get into a public discussion about this and right now they're very happy with there production in Ilion and they did emphasize that," says Assemblywoman Tenney.
"They're making a $20 million dollar investment to the Ilion plant, does that sound like a business that would be leaving?" asks Rachel Polansky, reporter.
"Well from talking to them, most of that money is going towards equipment. Equipment can be easily moved to any state in the country," says Assemblyman Brindisi.
"I would do what they're doing, be cautious, lay back, see what the state is willing to give you, I mean this state is so business unfriendly, it has to bribe everybody to stay here," says Representative Hanna.
At this point, we know at least 5 states have been courting Remington. Yet the only statement we've been given from the company has been this: "We are carefully evaluating our options."
While Remington is located in New York where the SAFE-Act was enacted, residents of our state make up just a small percentage of customers for the large gun-maker. We talk with area lawmakers to ask the question - was there ever a threat that Remington would actually leave Ilion?
"They can't sell some of their products to the people who build them for them or in the state," says Representative Richard Hanna, (R) 22nd district.
"But New York is just a small client to them," says Rachel Polansky, reporter.
"You're right about that, if they left the state, it wouldn't change that dynamic," says Representative Hanna.
Some gun advocates say the New York SAFE-Act hurts the New York gun buyer, but it doesn't limit the New York gun maker from manufacturing. Still...
"With the SAFE-Act, that was a concern for them, but the bigger concern from them is the momentum from the state toward stricter gun laws," says Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, (D) District 119.
"Very public way the Governor went through this all affects customers. They're like what are you doing to New York state? These people are unfriendly to us, we 're your customers, we're buying, support us," says Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, (R) District 101.
But after meeting with Remington officials, our state lawmakers say the fears of Remington leaving Ilion are warranted.
"What's concerning to me is that they have had conversations. They told us that they did have a conversation with Governor Rick Perry from Texas so they're gonna evaluate their options," says Assemblyman Brindisi.
"Don't forget they're for sale so if a new buyer comes in they're gonna look at their future earnings and equity. So where they stand, I think they don't think its their obligation to get into a public discussion about this and right now they're very happy with there production in Ilion and they did emphasize that," says Assemblywoman Tenney.
"They're making a $20 million dollar investment to the Ilion plant, does that sound like a business that would be leaving?" asks Rachel Polansky, reporter.
"Well from talking to them, most of that money is going towards equipment. Equipment can be easily moved to any state in the country," says Assemblyman Brindisi.
"I would do what they're doing, be cautious, lay back, see what the state is willing to give you, I mean this state is so business unfriendly, it has to bribe everybody to stay here," says Representative Hanna.
At this point, we know at least 5 states have been courting Remington. Yet the only statement we've been given from the company has been this: "We are carefully evaluating our options."
