The first Connecticut-based gun manufacturer has announced official plans to leave the state with the passage of new gun legislation, which includes a ban on several military-assault weapons and magazine firearms with more than 10 rounds.
PTR Industries, Inc., a firearm manufacturer based in Farmington, Conn., employs about 42 employees in the state. Though it has no formal relocation plans currently, officials say they are considering offers from gun-friendly states and plan to announce further plans in about six weeks.
“The rights of the citizens of Connecticut have been trampled upon,” a statement on the company’s website said. “With a heavy heart but a clear mind, we have been forced to decide that our business can no longer survive in Connecticut ”“ the former Constitution state.”
PTR officials say the manufacturing of modern sporting rifles has been “effectively outlawed,” though the law does technically allow it. The company contends the state’s legislation will do little to protect its citizens and violates citizens’ constitutional rights.
Yah, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Moving PTR is both infantile and a bad business decision. Sikorsky may make military attack helicopters, but they don’t leave the state because individuals may not be able to own these advanced arms. Bearing arms, wether a tank or a gun, does not mean that every individual should access any type of armament. By that logic, individuals would be entitled to fighter jets and nuclear arms! Newtown has changed the logic of bearing arms, and this new law will not impede the recreational shooter. The equation is not all or nothing, and a balance is most pragmatic.
Mr. Handler is wrong. Connecticut’s new gun law will impact ONLY recreational shooters and other law-abiding firearms owners. It cannot possibly do anything whatsoever to reduce violent crime because criminals and the violently mentally ill will pay no attention to the law. The law penalizes people who are not committing violent crimes. Worse, it makes it more difficult for private citizens to use firearms to protect themselves. According study by a criminology professor at the University of Florida, citizens legally use firearms between 2 and 2.5 million times a year to prevent being the victim of a crime. But ill informed people and the politicians who prey on them never mention that.