Illinois Valley Times

State Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) said HB5855, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, will have an immediate economic impact on Illinois’ arms manufacturers and hunting stores, including L.W. Schneider. 

“Springfield Armory and Rock River Arms are manufacturers of guns. L.W. Schneider is a manufacturer of parts for guns. They manufacture parts of Springfield Armory or Rock River arms, or other arms dealers would use in their manufacturing of their guns,” Swanson said. “So we're talking north of 1,000 employees between those three businesses that would be affected and then take it that second and third order effect. If there's no guns in Illinois, what's going to happen to those mom and pop sports stores there on the street corner?” 

HB5855 would outlaw several types of common guns and magazines and create a registry whereby gun owners must inventory their guns. The bill would also disallow those under 21 from purchasing weapons and from hunting alone. In Bureau County, bill opponents say this would affect L.W. Schneider Inc., at 1180 N 6th St. in Princeton. 

“Reliability. Integrity. Ingenuity. These are the standards L.W. Schneider has lived by since 1970,” the company said on its LinkedIn page. “Today our reputation as one of the most dependable manufacturers of high-quality firearm components has earned us the business of nearly every firearm manufacturer in the country – as well as the military and law enforcement. We have three generations of family working at our state-of-the-art facility in Princeton, Illinois, America’s Heartland. Our employees enjoy being part of a team with the kind of supportive environment that has kept many here for decades.”

The arms manufacturer, which has deep roots in the area, notes it employs over 400 and has employed generations of families locally. According to Rocket Reach, it has an estimated revenue of $72 million per year. 

Opponents of the bill say more than 400 jobs and millions of revenue by L.W. Schneider are in jeopardy due to the legislation. A vote on the bill in the House is expected next week, Jan. 11. 

 “When Lloyd W. Schneider started this company, it was just him,” the company said on its website. “Today, our family business spans three generations, has more than 400 employees, and serves nearly every firearm manufacturer in the country—as well as the military and law enforcement. With unrelenting dedication to precision and investments in flexible, high-tech equipment, we aim to become your preferred choice for high-quality firearm components.”

Glenn Garamoni, president of the State Line Rifle Association of Illinois, also said the bill will affect arm manufacturers in the state even if shipping guns out of state. 

“(The bill) provides NO exemption for federally licensed firearms dealers and manufacturers in Illinois. Goodbye to many jobs in Illinois at Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms, DS Arms, Rock Island Armory, Krebs Custom, and Benjamin Tactical Inc. to name a few,” Garamoni said, Lake County Gazette reported.