Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has been at the forefront of calling for new gun control laws in the wake of the Newtown shootings. He uses somewhat different rhetoric though when gun manufacturers are willing to locate or expand in operations in his state.
Here’s a March, 2011 report from Newsradio WIBX in Ilion, NY:
Remington Arms’s parent company is consolidating and closing the Bushmaster Firearms facility in Maine. But, that’s good news locally as 40 to 50 jobs will be relocated to Ilion.
Plant Manager Jim Rabbia says the facility in Ilion continues to add jobs as parent company, Freedom Group International, looks to streamline operations.
***
Senator Charles Schumer joined Remington officials for the announcement. He said the additional jobs locally strengthens the plant’s ability to compete for federal contracts.
Schumer also encouraged company officials to ‘knock on my door’ if they ever feel the process for contract bidding has become unfair, or if federal regulations become overburdernsome. (Emphasis added.)
The Bushmaster AR-15 was the weapon used by Adam Lanza in the Newtown shootings.
Schumer’s promises of help to the factory weren’t just rhetoric either. New York state has sent $6 million in subsidies to the Ilion factory, according to a Utica’s Observer-Dispatch. A Schumer spokeswoman told the paper the senator favors sales to military and police, but not private citizens.
Hat tip: Reason’s Matt Welch.
