WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Gunmaker Colt says it is suspending its production of rifles for the civilian market including the popular AR-15.
According to the company the move is purely based on low demand for the guns, and has nothing to do with the ongoing gun law debate. The market is saturated with other, cheaper brands, Cody Harris of Ray’s Sporting Goods in Dallas, told WFAA-TV.
Colt’s chief executive officer, Dennis Veilleux, says it is not permanently ending production but believes there is already an adequate supply of sporting rifles on the market. He said in a statement Thursday the company will concentrate on fulfilling military and law enforcement contracts with its rifle manufacturing.
The West Hartford, Connecticut-based company has received some criticism from gun rights advocates for moving away from the civilian market. A national gun control debate has focused on access to AR-15s and other assault-style rifles because of their use in mass shootings.
Meantime, an online company is selling an AR-15 receiver that says “No Beto-15.” It’s in reaction to president candidate Beto O’Rourke saying that ‘He will take your AR-15 during a recent Democratic presidential debate in Houston.
(Copyright 2019 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. WFAA-TV contributed to this report.)