Smith & Wesson factory
Dan Z. for TTAG
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As more states issue shelter-in-place orders, closing businesses and confining people to their homes unless shopping for food or medicine, the nation’s firearms and ammunition manufacturers have begun to be affected. Case in point: yesterday’s shutdown of the Remington factory in Ilion, New York.

The industry produces firearms, ammunition, optics, and other equipment for military, law enforcement and the retail market. Shuttering significant parts of its manufacturing capacity would be crippling.

And then there’s the need for Americans to have the means to defend themselves, their homes, property and businesses while law enforcement officers are stretched thin and otherwise occupied.

In response, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has asked the Department of Homeland Security to designate the country’s firearm and ammunition manufacturers, distributors and retailers as a National Critical Infrastructure Industry.

Here’s the letter the NSSF’s Larry Keane sent to DHS yesterday:

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23 COMMENTS

    • These guys get all the fun. I apparently work in the wrong sector of manufacturing.

      Anyone in firearms mfg hiring? Preferably in Idaho or the Redoubt? Incredibly intelligent and skilled applicant here. Can bring own toilet paper…

  1. HERE , HERE , YES , BETTER TO HAVE AND NOT NEED , THAN TO NEED AND NOT HAVE .

    ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL OWN WEAPON , FIRE ARM , JUST LIKE NOW IN PANDEMIC ,
    HOPE NEVER HAVE TO USE FIRE ARM TO , SELF PROTECT MYSELF OR FAMILY
    BRINGS UP THOUGHT , INSURANCE ALSO FOR OWNING FIRE ARMS , LIKE USCCA.COM
    AND OTHER INSURANCE , LIAILBLE IF EVER USE FIRE ARM , COURTS WILL BE INVOLED , KNOW THE LAW IN STATE YOU LIVE AND OTHER STATES.
    STAY SAFE , STAY ALERT, GOD BLESS AMERICA … DARN VIRUS FOR REAL .

    • Hey Tex, do you comment on websites often? The general rule is, writing in all caps is seen as shouting and considered rude. The style went out with the telegram.

      • Let him type however he wishes. I merely see it as “syntax”, not to mention it’s (supposed to be) a free country. besides,, makes it easier to read for us non millinials.

  2. Perhaps they should allow you to order and fill out the 4473 online and then go pick up your firearm at the dealer. Sort of like restaurant takeaway.

    FYI. If Remington is supplying material to the US military then the State cannot shut them down

  3. See previous post on how NSSF was the bad guy on this site a few days ago. How about this. Homeland Security agrees with NSSF that continued production of firearms/ammunition is necessary for the continued security of the United States. Sales restricted to government/military only. Does that fit your pistol? If you ain’t got it already, you waited too late.

    • True. They would nationalize the industry by saying noncuvimian sales as long as the emergency lasts. And we know that could be a long time.

  4. NSSF should focus on methods to ease the bureaucratic burden like tdiinva said. Only GameStop, the beauty salon and the gun store closed in my area. Even the vape shop is open because it sells marijuana.
    The gun store closed before the Governor’s “shelter in place” because there was no business after an initial run on ammo. Wonder how much business the store turned away before giving up because even ammo purchases require a background check and that you have a gun registered in that caliber. Even legal California gun owners cannot buy ammo in a caliber that they don’t have a registered gun.

    • How does that work for modular guns? An AR can take anything between .22LR and .50 Beowulf (or .458 SOCOM if .50s aren’t allowed in CA) by switching uppers. Most medium frames can take 9mm, .40, and .357 Sig with barrel and mag changes, and lots have .22 conversions.

  5. Good intent but I think a bad move. “IF” answered in a timely fashion and it is anything less than a resounding YES!, will signal and empower more anti-gun governmental actors to shut down gun related businesses without regard to local facts and individual circumstances.

    Even it it is “Approved as requested”, the Lawsuit happy anti-gun civ groups, politicians and States/local govs will pile on just like every Trump action they don’t like. And they will get favorable judgements in their Usual left wing Courts.

    Per the norm, military and LE related agencies necessity will be allowed (Cut Out) but Civ purchase will NOT be rated as a “necessity”. Then it is OFFICIAL and Civilians will get screwed.

    Though it’s broad brushed in the Request, this is another NSSF action which has great potential to throw civ firearms owners under the bus BECAUSE a few businesses are temporarily shut down.

    Lets ge wild and say one Mfr and 100 gun shops are currently impacted. NOW there is more than a chance to label all civilian related gun business as NON ESSENTIAL.

  6. CA kept the pot stores open because they would have true SHTF if people couldn’t get stoned easily. PA close liquor stores and the a hole governor will regret that decision.

  7. Will wonders never ceases. Governor Pritzker has designated firearms retailers as essential.

    This had not been a good year for Mikey.

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