New York could be in for a shootout as rival states try to lure away an upstate gunmaker — and its 1,300 union jobs — in the wake of Gov. Cuomo’s (far right) new gun-control law.
Politicians from pro-gun states like Arizona, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Oklahoma have open arms for Remington Arms.
“The leaders in New York state have all but told you that your business, your job creation and your contributions are no longer welcome,” Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) wrote to Remington CEO George Kollitides.
Officials at the 197-year-old operation in upstate Ilion are “keeping their options open,” said state Sen. James Seward (R-Oneonta).
The union representing Remington workers said the gun maker leaving “non-business-friendly” New York is a “very scary” possibility. “The economic impact would be devastating to the Mohawk Valley and surrounding communities,” United Mine Workers Local 717 wrote to lawmakers.
Remington — maker of the Bushmaster rifle model used in last December’s Newtown, Conn., elementary-school massacre — took $5.5 million in subsidies from New York between 2007 and 2009 in order to expand and add 450 jobs in the economically depressed Mohawk Valley.
“We’re going to do everything we can to keep them here,” said Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney (R-Oneida).
Company officials declined comment yesterday.