Firearms Manufacturer to Stop Producing AR-15s

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford-based Colt Industries announced Thursday it will halt production of civilian AR-15 rifles, claiming "the market for modern sporting rifles has experienced significant excess manufacturing capacity."

Dennis Veilleux, president and chief executive officer, issued a statement on the company's web site assuring customers, "Colt is committed to the Second Amendment, highly values its customers and continues to manufacture the world’s finest quality firearms for the consumer market."

Veilleux continued, "We believe there is adequate supply for modern sporting rifles for the foreseeable future."

Significant high-volume contracts with military and law enforcement agencies "are absorbing all of Colt’s manufacturing capacity for rifles," Veilleux said.