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RemArms, formerly known as Remington Arms Company, has notified union officials of its plan to shut down its gun manufacturing plant in Ilion, New York, by March 2024.

In a letter cited by the Observer-Dispatch, the RemArms stated, “Operations at the Ilion Facility will conclude on or about March 4, 2024. The company did not arrive at this decision lightly.”

Remington, America’s oldest gun manufacturer, established in 1816 in Ilion, has faced financial challenges recently, leading to two bankruptcy filings. In 2022, the company settled with the families of Sandy Hook victims for $73 million, marking the first instance of a gun manufacturer being held liable for a mass shooting.

Layoffs from the closure are anticipated between March 4 and March 18, 2024.

The decision has been met with disappointment and frustration by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). Cecil Roberts, the International President of UMWA, urged RemArms to reconsider, emphasizing the profound impact on workers, particularly given the timing around the holiday season. Roberts stated, “The timing adds insult to injury for those affected. Merry Christmas from RemArms.”

Roberts also praised the dedication of the Ilion workers, saying, “The workers in Ilion enabled RemArms to rise from the ashes of the Remington Arms bankruptcy in 2020-21. Without these workers and their dedication to producing the best firearms in the world, this company simply would not exist. Our members, the community, local political leaders, and the UMWA worked tirelessly to keep this facility open and to return the workers to the jobs they have had for over 100 years.”