American Tactical Imports is the latest in a growing list of New York gun companies that has fled the state over new weapon laws pushed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
ATI is relocating from Rochester, N.Y., to Summerville, S.C., located just outside Charleston, Guns.com reported.
The company’s resources — jobs plus facilities — have been valued at $2.7 million, Breitbart.com reported. ATI mostly imports and distributes firearms, but also does some light manufacturing.
“This move to South Carolina will help ensure a solid foundation for our company,” said ATI president Tony DiChario said, Breitbart.com reported. “The relocation process will be smooth and we have ensured the process will not affect customer service, product distribution or any other segment of our business.”
Western Shooting Journal reported in August that Kahr Arms of Rockland County, N.Y., was relocating to the more gun-friendly Pennsylvania, citing the new regulations contained in the SAFE Act signed into law by Mr. Cuomo. Remington, which operated in New York for 150 years, also said then it was seeking a new home for its business.
The Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act mandated universal background checks and imposed strict punishments on assault weapons’ violators, among other things. Gun companies worried the regulations would automatically put them in violation of the law, and they wouldn’t be able to continue operations.
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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