Smith & Wesson unveiled its new headquarters in Maryville, Tennessee, marking a significant relocation from its historic base in Springfield, Massachusetts, where it had been since the mid-19th century. This move to Tennessee, encompassing a 650,000-square feet facility, was driven by a $125 million plan initiated in 2021. The decision to shift was influenced by Massachusetts’ stringent gun regulations which would impede the production of certain firearms.
During the inauguration, which witnessed a significant turnout, Smith & Wesson’s CEO, Mark Smith, expressed optimism about the company’s future in Tennessee. Smith highlighted the state’s favorable regulatory atmosphere and the cooperative stance of the Tennessee government as pivotal for the move. This relocation is anticipated to generate hundreds of job opportunities.
Tennessee’s approach to gun regulation has seen a notable shift recently. The state, under Republican governance, enacted a 2021 law enabling most adults aged 21 and above to possess handguns without the prerequisite of a state-level background scrutiny and training.
