JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — The firearm breaking the silence at an outdoor Missouri shooting range is the same gun generating noise all over the country.
“There’s a lot of rumors floating around,” said Aaron Tarlow, the owner of Southern Armory in Imperial.
Days after the gun manufacturer Colt announced it would suspend production on AR-15, Tarlow spent his Saturday afternoon shooting his own Colt AR-15. When he’s not at the range, he spends time at his gun shop, Southern Armory.
“Colt’s been struggling for literally years now. I’m surprised it took this long for them to move on to focusing on what they do best: military government contracts,” he said.
Colt’s business decision has people outside of the firearm industry experiencing some of the strongest effects. Mother of three Rebecca Medina felt a sense of comfort upon hearing the news.
“Whatever the reason it is, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “School has started and it’s scary to think about what could happen.”
AR-15s and similar style rifles made by other manufacturers were used in mass shootings like Sutherland Springs and Parkland, Florida.
Tarlow predicted most Colt AR-15 inventory will deplete next year.
“There’s still a plethora of supply,” he said. “There are still commercial guns sitting in warehouses waiting to be purchased.”
Tarlow also said he expects any impact on the market will be slim.
“The only thing this is going to affect from a sales standpoint is that person who comes in and wants the iconic pony on their rifle not being able to get it,” he said.
While there won’t be a big shift in sales, the one major change is something that can’t be bought: a worried mother’s quiet relief.
“It’s one less gun that could get in the hands of someone and potentially go into our schools,” said Medina.
Colt released the following statement following questions about the company's decision:
'There have been numerous articles recently published about Colt’s participation in the commercial rifle market. Some of these articles have incorrectly stated or implied that Colt is not committed to the consumer market. We want to assure you that 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.
'The fact of the matter is that over the last few years, the market for modern sporting rifles has experienced significant excess manufacturing capacity. Given this level of manufacturing capacity, we believe there is adequate supply for modern sporting rifles for the foreseeable future.
'On the other hand, our warfighters and law enforcement personnel continue to demand Colt rifles and we are fortunate enough to have been awarded significant military and law enforcement contracts. Currently, these high-volume contracts are absorbing all of Colt’s manufacturing capacity for rifles. Colt’s commitment to the consumer markets, however, is unwavering. We continue to expand our network of dealers across the country and to supply them with expanding lines of the finest quality 1911s and revolvers.
'At the end of the day, we believe it is good sense to follow consumer demand and to adjust as market dynamics change. 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.
Very respectfully,
Dennis Veilleux, President and Chief Executive Officer'