Connecticut-based gun manufacturer Colt announced that it is suspending production of the AR-15 rifle, the preferred weapon of mass shooters, for the civilian market and will instead focus on filling military and law enforcement orders. The news is a mixed bag, because while Colt should be applauded for suspending production, the reasoning is sad. The Associated Press reports, “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.”
Sigh. That’s the bad news. The market is already saturated with plenty of AR-15 rifles. But at least the company is pivoting to focus on military orders, because that is where this weapon belongs, on the battlefield. It’s designed for mass carnage. That’s why the Dayton shooter was able to murder nine people in just 30 seconds before he was shot by law enforcement. AR-15-style rifles have been used in mass shootings in Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Florida, and Sandy Hook, among a long list of other cities.
So there might be a flood of these rifles already on the market, but this is one step from Colt that we can surely applaud.
Update: Beto O’Rourke responded to the news on Twitter.