Headline: Remington Arms Company threatens to pull plant out of New York in response to Bloomy-backed gun bill
by Chad D. Baus
The New York Daily News reported recently that one of the world's major gun manufacturers is threatening to pull its plant out of New York over a gun bill pushed by Mayor Bloomberg.
From the article:
Remington Arms Company, in a recent letter to Gov. Cuomo, said it may be forced to bail on the Empire State if a law requiring bullet casings to carry unique markings is enacted.
Supporters argue the technology, known as microstamping, would help solve gun crimes. Detractors say it's unreliable, easily tampered with and costly.
Remington has a manufacturing plant that employs more than 1,000 workers in the village of Ilion, about 90 miles west of Albany.
"Mandating firearms micro- stamping will restrict the ability of Remington to expand business in the Empire State," company chief strategy officer Stephen Jackson Jr. wrote to Cuomo.
"Worse yet, Remington could be forced to reconsider its commitment to the New York market altogether rather than spend the astronomical sums of money needed to completely reconfigure our manufacturing and assembly processes."
Jackson insisted that law enforcement, gun retailers and "law-abiding consumers throughout New York — if not the entire country" would be directly affected.
Senate bill sponsor Jose Peralta dismissed Remingtons warning as "just another tactic being used to try and block microstamping, which is supported by many crime-fighters."
He said gun manufacturers didn't leave California and Massachusetts when those states enacted ballistic identification rules.
Cuomo during his 2010 campaign called microstamping a “common-sense” and “pro-law enforcement” gun safety law.
The governors position has not changed, even with Remingtons threat to leave, Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto said
Fortunately, the article says the legislation is not expected to clear the GOP-controlled Senate, where Democratic efforts to bring it to the floor have been blocked.
In his continuing the effort to bring more jobs to Ohio, perhaps Gov. Kasich and his JobsOhio initiative could take this opportunity to reach out to the Remington Arms Company and make the case for a move to the Buckeye State!
Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.
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