[SittinYonder]

city officials and union leaders

This is just a guess, but wouldn't these be two of the reasons the plant is closing in the first place? Are revenues that bad, or is the cost of doing business what is behind the decision?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Probably just sales are down, year after year. Ditto hunting licenses and shooting sports in general.
'swhy I always say: TAKE A KID TO A GUN SHOW.