In New York State, there is a growing movement to outlaw the sale of animal fur.

However, many in the fashion industry say it would destroy their livelihoods if fur was outlawed.

Maria Reich has built a business selling animal fur, but says her livelihood is under attack as lawmakers push to outlaw it New York.

"It would be devastating to have this taken away from us,” says Reich, of Reich Fur.

Linda Rosenthal, a state assemblywoman, says of fur, "It promotes suffering of innocent animals that did nothing."

Some estimates say a ban on fur could put over 1,100 people out of a job. Critics argue, it's a question of morality.

"It's basically an industry that is based on cruelty to animals,” says Rosenthal.

Rosenthal says she is sponsoring legislation to ban the sale of coats by 2021.

She calls the industry brutal, while those in the business call it the only job they've ever known.