Manufacturing company working on new type of handgun

Global Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing hopes to add up to 200 jobs in 2016, officials said Thursday.

Global President Chris Russo said the company is working on a new venture for a new type of handgun.

“It’s in the developmental stages right now, so I can’t say much on it,” he said. “But we are working on a prototype that will revolutionize the handgun. It’s going to be the biggest change since 1911.”

Russo said the plan is to begin adding the 80-200 employees somewhere between February and the mid-part of 2016, and the gun will be manufactured locally.

“We plan to get employees from the Alabama area,” he said.

Russo said earlier this week he invited members of the local law enforcement community to the Opp business to make sure they were informed about the business, and let them know they are licensed and certified to manufacture the gun.

Opp Mayor John Bartholomew said the news of jobs is exciting for the city.

“We are thrilled about this venture,” he said. “They are really doing a good job, and they are an asset to our city.”