The CEO of Remington Arms has confirmed New York's tough gun laws did play a role in its decision to relocate a major manufacturing plant to Alabama.

In a letter to New York officials, Remington Outdoor Company CEO George Kollitides said the company's decision was brought about by "state policies affecting use of our products." The letter was first reported in the New York Daily News.

Remington announced in February it would open a $110 million production plant on land adjacent to the Huntsville International Airport. The facility will bring 2,000 jobs to the area with production expected to begin next year.

At the time of the announcement, some New York lawmakers criticized their state's gun control laws, saying they were driving the company away from its plant in Illion, NY. During ceremonies in Alabama, Kollitides said while the company opposes the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement, or SAFE Act, it was "not a driving decision" in its move to Alabama.

The SAFE act was passed in 2013 in response to the deadly school shootings in Newton, Connecticut. Among the firearms it restricts are versions of the Bushmaster and R1 semiautomatic pistol lines, the two of the weapons that will now be produced in Alabama.

In his letter, Kolltides also said the quality of the workforce, business environment, tax and economic incentives and existing infrastructure also influenced the move to Alabama.

In recent months, Remington has announced it was consolidating several weapons manufacturing lines. The company announced in August it would move 100 jobs from New York to Alabama and, last week, laid off 126 people due to a decline in gun sales, the Daily News reports. About 1,000 people are still employed at Remington's New York facility.