Gun Maker Colt Temporarily Ceases Production Of AR-15s For Civilian Market

A row of different AR-15 style rifles. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Gun manufacturer Colt is suspending its production of certain rifles, including the AR-15, for the civilian commercial market, though it will continue to supply them to the military and law enforcement entities.

In a statement, CEO Dennis Veilleux cited a glut of “modern sporting rifles” for civilians saturating the market, adding that all of Colt’s manufacturing capabilities will be funneled into its “significant,” “high-volume” military and law enforcement contracts.

“At the end of the day, we believe it is good sense to follow consumer demand and to adjust as market dynamics change,” he wrote. “Colt has been a stout supporter of the Second Amendment for over 180 years, remains so, and will continue to provide its customers with the finest quality firearms in the world.”

Latest News
35
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Interesting way to have it both ways and play it down the middle.

    Either way it’s a start.

  2. Avatar for meri meri says:

    Well, most likely the prices will jump, thanks to fears of Obummer revoking the 2nd Amendment, and once the shelves are a bit cleared out they can start cranking them out again.

  3. TRANSLATION: “We have too many fucking UNSOLD ARs in the warehouses and the retailers DON’T WANT THEM.”

    Time to find a new group of customers to sell them to (on the black market.)

  4. Avatar for matx matx says:

    And the world didn’t end–unfortunately there are lots to be had on the secondary market, and that does not require any kind of real background check right now.

  5. Avatar for matx matx says:

    I’m sure they’ll have the MAGA 2020 Trump edition available in time for the holidays.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

29 more replies

Participants

Avatar for discobot Avatar for sedonaz Avatar for meri Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for tigersharktoo Avatar for gr Avatar for ottnott Avatar for greylady Avatar for dickweed Avatar for jaybeeraybee Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for seedoubleyou Avatar for texastwostep Avatar for doug834 Avatar for ljb860 Avatar for matx Avatar for bashful Avatar for aiddon Avatar for seveneagles Avatar for the_loan_arranger Avatar for csurz420 Avatar for occamscoin Avatar for haddockbranzini

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: