Century International Arms Vermont Layoffs Due to Obama M1 Garand Import Denial

[Raoul Duke]

http://www.centuryarms.com/

Century International Arms
236 Bryce Boulevard
Fairfax, Vermont 05454

5 June 2014

For Immediate Release

Century International Arms Recent Vermont Employee Layoffs Due to Import Denial

Century is one of the country’s largest importers of highly-collectible, historical
firearms. It is also one of the largest employers in Franklin County, providing its
employees and numerous vendors with high-quality manufacturing jobs.

Century had been planning on a large importation of vintage WWII, M1 Garand
Rifles from the South Korean government. All the normal approvals were in place
to obtain the import permits for this sale from ATF. Century had invested considerable
funds in seeking the approvals and financing for this transaction. It was expected that
this nearly 30 million dollar transaction would have provided a reliable revenue stream
to Century even during the general downturn in firearms demand in 2014. Additionally,
the sales proceeds were going to be used by the South Korean government to purchase
modern firearms for their defense forces.

Unfortunately and unexpectedly, The White House intervened at the last minute and
blocked this importation. This importation was denied despite our explaining that the
denial would harm the company and pointing out that there is no rational, gun-control
reason to block the importation of these historic, 70-year-old firearms.

As a consequence of this denial, there has been a reduction in work and Century has
had to make the difficult decision to layoff 41 Vermont employees. Nevertheless,
Century has modernized production in several key operations areas, developed new
products, and intensified our sales efforts in various markets. We fully expect that
the industry-wide downturn in demand from government, law enforcement and
consumer customers will rebound in the coming months. When that rebound
happens, Century will be well poised to take advantage of these future growth
opportunities and expand our workforce.

Century is grateful for the support it has received so far from Senator Leahy and
Governor Shumlin. And Century is still hopeful that the White House will reconsider
its decision on the Korea sale and allow this important transaction to proceed, which
would have a direct, positive impact on Century’s employees, Vermonters, and
America’s gun collecting community.

 

[SMS]

Yay, the Korean Garand rumor that won't die...

 

[AKguy1985]

Yay, the Korean Garand rumor that won't die...

this!!!!

 

[Jestik]

Why did we leave all of our Garands in South Korea anyways?

 

[Fredkrueger100]

Obama is such a loser. I want to know why he did this? What was the reasoning for it? He is supposed to be for creating jobs and helping the economy yet he does this. Oh wait, he don't care about jobs or anyone else.

 

[SMS]

The importation of these Garands has been blocked for at least 4 years, if not longer. If Century was banking on them to save 2014 sales, they executed some poor business decisions. Blaming Obama is pretty shallow.

 

[WessonOil]

Why did we leave all of our Garands in South Korea anyways?

It was better than leaving American GI's there?

 

[ElMatador]

What ever became of the Garand deal?

 

[GlockCop]

What ever became of the Garand deal?

This is at least a four year old story. There arent any South Korean Garands coming.

 

[Lurker66]

It actually predates the internet, kinda. I remember it being in gun rags in late 80s and being blamed on something Reagan did about jobs.