Smith & Wesson Moving From Massachusetts To Tennessee, Citing Proposed Massachusetts Gun Laws

BOSTON (CBS) – Smith & Wesson, 1 of the oldest weapon manufacturers successful the country, announced Thursday it is moving operations from Springfield, Massachusetts to Tennessee owed to projected weapon laws successful Massachusetts.

The institution plans to determination to Maryville, Tenn. In 2023 aft being based successful Springfield since it was founded successful 1852.

READ MORE: Sgt. Tyler Andrews, Folsom Native Injured In Deadly Kabul Attack, Undergoes 21st Surgery

“This has been an highly hard and affectional determination for us, but aft an exhaustive and thorough analysis, for the continued wellness and spot of our iconic company, we consciousness that we person been near with nary different alternative,” President and CEO Mark Smith said.

Smith said projected authorities successful Massachusetts would forestall the institution from making definite kinds of guns.

READ MORE: Stockton Traffic Stop Leads To Police Finding Gun, Drugs In Vehicle

“These bills would forestall Smith & Wesson from manufacturing firearms that are ineligible successful astir each authorities successful America and that are safely utilized by tens of millions of law-abiding citizens each time exercising their Constitutional 2nd Amendment rights, protecting themselves and their families, and enjoying the shooting sports,” Smith said. “While we are hopeful that this arbitrary and damaging authorities volition beryllium defeated successful this session, these products made up implicit 60% of our gross past year, and the unfortunate likelihood that specified restrictions would beryllium raised again led to a reappraisal of the champion way guardant for Smith & Wesson.”

Smith said the institution vetted respective cities earlier deciding to determination its headquarters, which includes 750 jobs, to Maryville.

MORE NEWS: Gavin Newsom Writes Children’s Book About Boy With Dyslexia

As portion of the move, Smith & Wesson volition adjacent Connecticut and Missouri facilities arsenic well, consolidating the fig of locations from 4 to three.