Smith & Wesson Celebrates Grand Opening of New Tennessee Headquarters
Gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson recently hosted the grand opening of its new Tennessee headquarters, marking a significant move from its longtime home in Massachusetts to a more gun-friendly state. The company, as part of a $125 million relocation plan announced in 2021, constructed a state-of-the-art 650,000-square-foot facility in Maryville, Tennessee.
Previously located in Springfield, Massachusetts for over a century, Smith & Wesson was prompted to relocate due to proposed legislative restrictions on manufacturing certain firearms. Recognized for having some of the country’s strictest gun laws, Massachusetts no longer provided the favorable environment Smith & Wesson needed to continue its operations.
During the grand opening ceremony, Smith & Wesson President and CEO, Mark Smith, expressed his optimism regarding the company’s future. He mentioned the abundant opportunities that lie ahead for the next 170 years of Smith & Wesson in Tennessee, emphasizing how special it is to be part of the gun-friendly state.
Smith also acknowledged the supportive regulatory environment and the close collaboration with the Tennessee state government as key factors in the decision to relocate. This relocation is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the state.
Tennessee, under Republican leadership, has made efforts to relax gun restrictions in the past few years. One significant change was the passing of a law in 2021 that allows most adults aged 21 and older to carry handguns without a permit, bypassing the previously mandatory state-level background checks and training.
