The significant move will cost Ilion around 300 jobs and roughly $1 million in revenue. Local businesses, too, expect a downturn as the community adjusts to the loss of a company that has been central to the town's character and economy for generations.

Ilion's Mayor, John P. Stephens, likened the loss to losing a 'soul' or family member and expressed concerns over the impact on small businesses. Since the 18th century, the Remington factory has been a prominent local employer with many families, like that of technician Frank "Rusty" Brown, having multiple generations work there.

New York lawmakers attribute Remington's departure to the state's stringent gun laws, particularly referencing the recently enacted Gun Industry Liability Law that holds manufacturers accountable for gun violence. Remington leaders have celebrated the move to a state that openly supports the Second Amendment.

Remington's exit follows a pattern of firearm companies moving south for more favorable business climates, as seen with Smith & Wesson's shift from Massachusetts to Tennessee last year.

The move comes after Remington endured financial struggles, including two bankruptcy filings and a multimillion-dollar lawsuit settlement tied to the Sandy Hook shooting.