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Ilion, N.Y. —
When asked Thursday what the fate of Remington Arms in Ilion was or whether jobs were at stake, officials were brief.
“We are carefully evaluating our options,” said Teddy Novin, director of marketing and public affairs for Freedom Group, which is the parent company of Remington.
This is the first time Remington has offered any response to questions on the state Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013, which was passed on Jan. 15.
The firearms act marks New York as the first state to outline a stricter definition of assault weapons and implements an immediate ban of those defined as such. This means semi-automatic pistols and rifles with detachable magazines and one military-style feature are considered assault weapons, according to a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
The act also ban magazines that hold more than seven rounds and runs instant background checks on all ammunition purchases at the time of the sale, among other aspects like mental health.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R - Barneveld, has been in constant contact with Remington officials since the firearms act was passed, Hanna’s spokeswoman Renee Gamela said.
“Remington is well aware of the economic impact they have in the area,” she said. “They’ve indicated to us that they have no plans to change anything at the moment.”
Indeed, employees said inside the close to 200-year-old gun manufacturing plant, things have been business as usual.
Frank “Rusty” Brown, chairman of the Compac Committee and a Remington employee since 1994, said employees have heard nothing from Remington officials since the act was passed, yet the show goes on. “We’re a little nervous, but we’re busy. We hope to continue to be busy,” he said, adding the employees are “uncomfortable, but we’re still hiring people. It’s really a mixed message for us.”
When asked Thursday what the fate of Remington Arms in Ilion was or whether jobs were at stake, officials were brief.
“We are carefully evaluating our options,” said Teddy Novin, director of marketing and public affairs for Freedom Group, which is the parent company of Remington.
This is the first time Remington has offered any response to questions on the state Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013, which was passed on Jan. 15.
The firearms act marks New York as the first state to outline a stricter definition of assault weapons and implements an immediate ban of those defined as such. This means semi-automatic pistols and rifles with detachable magazines and one military-style feature are considered assault weapons, according to a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
The act also ban magazines that hold more than seven rounds and runs instant background checks on all ammunition purchases at the time of the sale, among other aspects like mental health.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R - Barneveld, has been in constant contact with Remington officials since the firearms act was passed, Hanna’s spokeswoman Renee Gamela said.
“Remington is well aware of the economic impact they have in the area,” she said. “They’ve indicated to us that they have no plans to change anything at the moment.”
Indeed, employees said inside the close to 200-year-old gun manufacturing plant, things have been business as usual.
Frank “Rusty” Brown, chairman of the Compac Committee and a Remington employee since 1994, said employees have heard nothing from Remington officials since the act was passed, yet the show goes on. “We’re a little nervous, but we’re busy. We hope to continue to be busy,” he said, adding the employees are “uncomfortable, but we’re still hiring people. It’s really a mixed message for us.”
