Smith & Wesson Officially Relocates to Tennessee From Blue New England State

Smith & Wesson President and CEO Mark Smith (L) and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee prepare for a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Tennessee location for the firearms manufacturer in Alcoa, Tenn., on Nov. 5, 2021. Scott Keller/The Daily Times via AP

Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers and designers of firearms, has officially opened its new headquarters in Maryville, Tennessee—making the move from a state with one of the strictest gun laws to a state with considerable freedom for gun owners.

The grand opening event followed the company’s 2021 announcement that it would be relocating from Springfield, Massachusetts, where the company had been based since the 1800s. The move involves an investment of about $125 million and the creation of 750 new jobs in Blount County, immediately south of Knoxville, Tennessee.

The grand opening represents a new chapter for the leading U.S.-based firearms manufacturer and also underscores Tennessee’s growing prominence as a hub for the firearms and ammunition industry.

The state ranks first in the nation for employment in the small arms and ammo sector, with employment increasing by 54 percent in the past five years, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development said at the time that the move was announced.

While state and local officials have welcome the company with open arms, some people are concerned about the state’s growing role in the arms manufacturing industry, and the company’s Oct. 7 ribbon-cutting event attracted some protesters.

A New Era Begins

The company’s new state-of-the-art headquarters, boasting 650,000 square feet, was inaugurated with much fanfare, reflecting its significant investment in both its future and the state of Tennessee.

Smith & Wesson President and CEO Mark Smith spoke at the Oct. 7 event, which drew a large crowd to the new facility, The Daily Times reported.

“From where I stand, the next 170 years of Smith & Wesson are looking pretty good,” he said. “It is something special here in Tennessee.”

At the time of the announcement, Mr. Smith said that the decision was forced on the company because of proposed legislation.

An attendee walks through the Smith & Wesson booth during the National Rifle Association's annual meeting and exhibits event at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on May 3, 2013. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

“This has been an extremely difficult and emotional decision for us, but after an exhaustive and thorough analysis, for the continued health and strength of our iconic company, we feel that we have been left with no other alternative,” he said in a statement at the time. ”These bills would prevent Smith & Wesson from manufacturing firearms that are legal in almost every state in America and that are safely used by tens of millions of law-abiding citizens every day exercising their constitutional Second Amendment rights, protecting themselves and their families, and enjoying the shooting sports.”

Tennessee’s leadership was a main reason for the move because of its welcoming of the business, Mr. Smith said.

“The strong support we have received from the state of Tennessee and the entire leadership of Blount County throughout this process, combined with the quality of life, outdoor lifestyle, and low cost of living in the Greater Knoxville area has left no doubt that Tennessee is the ideal location for Smith & Wesson’s new headquarters,” he said in 2021.

Broader Context

While the grand opening focuses on a new beginning in Tennessee, it’s noteworthy that the relocation is part of a broader strategic shift for Smith & Wesson.

Initially announced in September 2021, the company opted to relocate from Springfield, citing Tennessee’s pro-business environment, skilled workforce, and alignment with Second Amendment values as key factors.

“Our pro-business reputation, skilled workforce, and commitment to the Second Amendment make Tennessee an ideal location for firearms manufacturing,” Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, said at the time the move was announced ”We welcome Smith & Wesson to The Volunteer State and are proud this U.S.-based brand has chosen to relocate from Massachusetts.”

The addition of Smith & Wesson to the Tennessee community isn’t merely an economic gain; it also has cultural and social implications.

Blount County and the state at large have shown strong support for the Second Amendment, and the arrival of a major firearms manufacturer amplifies this stance.

“Tennessee is known by the brands that call our state home, and Smith & Wesson adds an enormous boost to our portfolio,” said Bob Rolfe,  commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, back in 2021. “We know that Smith & Wesson could have chosen anywhere in the world to relocate its operations and headquarters, and the fact they chose Tennessee underscores our state’s business-friendly environment and highly skilled workforce.”

Some Protest

A group protested the opening of the facility on Oct. 7, according to Knoxville CBS affiliate WVLT.

“It’s hard to welcome a company to Tennessee that’s going to ultimately lead in Tennesseans, volunteers, creating weapons that are used against other Tennesseans,” Anna Caudill, one of the protestors, told WVLT.

She told the outlet that she had made the trip from Nashville and that it was personal for her because one of her friends died in The Covenant School shooting in March.

“I hope, now that they’re here, that Smith & Wesson will at least reach out and find out what they can do to repair and to do better,” Ms. Caudill told the outlet.

Mr. Smith said that he doesn’t mind people in the local community opposing the headquarters, the outlet reported.

“We fully respect everybody’s rights, all their constitutional rights, and the First Amendment’s one of their constitutional rights,” Mr. Smith said. “That’s one of the beautiful things about this country, is that we’re free to disagree with each other.”

Looking Ahead

As Smith & Wesson begins operations at its new headquarters, the attention is now turning to the company’s future contributions to the local economy and how it will integrate into the social fabric of the state.

The company, founded in 1852, brings with it a rich history and a wide array of products, from handguns and long guns to handcuffs and suppressors.