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What Role Does The Firearm Industry Play In New Hampshire's Economy?

U.S. Census Bureau
The category of weapons in the $61 million transaction completed in August, 2018.

New England has long been one of the biggest makers of guns sold both inside, and outside, the U.S. Iconic names like Smith & Wesson, the Colt 45 and the Winchester rifle were all made here, and the region still has several global manufacturers of guns.

But, still, in late 2018, a big number jumped out at NHPR reporter Todd Bookman. The Government of Saudi Arabia had bought some $61 million worth of firearms from New Hampshire. Over the last several months, Todd’s reporting has taken him down a winding road as he’s learned even more about a big gun-maker and employer in the state, Sig Sauer.

NHPR’s Todd Bookman joins us to discuss firearm exports from New Hampshire, and a class action lawsuit against the firearm manufacturer, Sig Sauer.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.