City Seeks Answers On Winchester Plant's Future New Haven, Conn., Mayor John DeStefano Jr. met last week with officials from U.S. Repeating Arms Co.’s parent company, the Herstal Group, the New Haven Register reports. Details of the meeting weren’t revealed, but a spokesperson for the mayor said he would be urging the company through a letter to make sure the license to the Winchester brand name would go to any gun manufacturer taking over the facility. He will also urge the company to allow the city access to the facility if it is shut down and to leave behind equipment that was partially paid for with taxpayer funds. Herstal announced in January it would close the historic facility by March 31. The city has been working to find a buyer for the facility and said it has prospects. Another prospective buyer toured the facility Feb. 24, according to USRAC Facility Director Paul DeMennato.