Remington to Close New York Gun Manufacturing Plant One Year After Sandy Hook Settlemen

On Thursday, the Remington Arms Company announced that it would be shutting down its iconic manufacturing plant in Ilion, New York in March of 2024, following major losses for the company after it was forced to settle with the families of victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting.

As reported by The Hill, the letter from the company to union officials declared that “RemArms, LLC ( “the Company”) has decided to close its entire operations at 14 Hoefler Avenue, Ilion, NY 13357 (the “Ilion Facility”).”

“The Company expects that operations at the Ilion Facility will conclude on or about March 4, 2024,” the letter continues. “The Company did not arrive at this decision lightly.” Layoffs at the company as a result of this closure are expected to take place between March 4th and March 18th.

Ilion is the city where Remington, the oldest gun manufacturer in America, was first founded back in 1816. Having already filed for bankruptcy twice, Remington suffered a historic loss after it was forced to make a $73 million settlement with Sandy Hook families, after a judge determined that the gun manufacturer could be held responsible for its weapons being used in the Sandy Hook shooting. It was the first such settlement of its kind in modern American history.

In an email statement following the report, Remington said that “RemArms is excited to expand our facilities in Georgia, a state that not only welcomes business but enthusiastically supports and welcomes companies in the firearms industry.”

But Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) urged Remington to “reconsider and explore alternative solutions” rather than shut down the Ilion plant, calling such a move “extremely disappointing” and a “slap in the face to all of” the company’s employees, especially with Christmas around the corner.

“The timing adds insult to injury for those affected. Merry Christmas from RemArms,” said Roberts in his own statement. “The simple fact is that RemArms will never be able to match the experience and d