Firearms Industry
Georgia’s population of hunting enthusiasts, highly skilled workforce, and business-friendly climate make it the ideal location for defense and firearms manufacturers.
The state’s business recruiters began actively courting the defense industry six years ago after noticing that many firearms manufacturers were leaving the Northeast, where some states have passed more stringent gun laws, and relocating to politically friendlier southern climates. These efforts are paying off. In the last five years, 13 companies have relocated or expanded in the state, investing $213 million and creating 2,175 jobs. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has named Georgia one of the top ten states in the nation for firearms manufacturing.
Georgia is a gun-friendly home to highly skilled machinists, an excellent infrastructure, and a population full of hunting enthusiasts making it the ideal location for firearms manufacturers. In November 2021, Remington Firearms announced that its global headquarters, a new advanced manufacturing facility, and a research and development center would locate in LaGrange.
Our workforce of 5.3M people represents all levels of experience, education, and diversity, including a large veteran population with a highly sought-after transferable skill set. . More than 50,000 residents already work in fabricated metals and plastics manufacturing. Additionally, Georgia is a right-to-work state with low unionization membership, resulting in lower business operation costs.
An extensive infrastructure provides quick access to markets via rail, road, sea, and air. The world’s most efficient airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, has daily flights to 75 countries and 150 U.S. cities. More than 80% of U.S. markets are within a two-hour flight and two-day or less truck haul.
Learn more about how industry innovators have achieved success in Georgia.
Firearm Companies in Georgia
In November 2021, Remington Firearms announced that its global headquarters, a new advanced manufacturing facility, and a research and development center would locate in LaGrange, In September 2022, Beretta Holding S.A., through its subsidiary Norma Precision Inc., announced plans to expand its footprint in Georgia and build a new manufacturing, assembly, and distribution facility in Bryan County.
There are more than 80 small and medium-sized enterprises scattered throughout the state. A few of these companies are:
Click Map for a List of Firearms and Ammo Manufacturing Companies
Learn more about our pro-business climate and competitive advantages for Advanced Manufacturing
Hunting is a time-honored tradition in Georgia
In addition to a qualified workforce, shooting sports companies will find an avid consumer base in the state’s gun-friendly environment. Hunting is one of the most popular sports in the state, and the state offers more than 100 wildlife management areas dedicated to hunting. That’s in addition to 13.6 million acres of private land, including several of the most prestigious quail hunting plantations in the nation.
The state protects these traditions with firearm friendly legislation. There is no waiting period for firearm purchases, and handgun registration is not required. Private sales of firearms between individual citizens are legal and do not require background checks. In April 2022, Governor Kemp signed a “Constitutional Carry Bill” allowing residents to carry handguns in public without a license or background check. Other recent pro-gun legislation signed by the governor includes House Bill 362 legalizing the new CVA .40 caliber muzzleloader for deer hunting, and last fall, he signed a proclamation establishing September 24th as Hunting and Fishing Day in Georgia to acknowledge the important conservation work that continues to be done because of the contributions of hunters and anglers.
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