Connecticut Gunmaker Looks To Modify AR-15 To Meet Ban
BY Herschel Smith
11 years, 6 months ago
NEW BRITAIN, CT (WFSB) – One Connecticut gun maker said it would move out of the state if lawmakers expanded the ban on assault weapons, but now that same company is taking a look at modifying the AR-15.
Before some of the toughest gun laws in the country were passed, officials with the Stag Arms in New Britain said further modifications to the AR-15 would make it impossible to sell in Connecticut.
Eyewitness News has learned that the company is working on making a modified assault weapon to fit the ban.
“We are carefully looking at the new law and there are some things we interpret to be legal,” said Stag Arms owner Mark Malkowski. “We have gotten a lot of feedback from our customers and they have given us ideas for changes.”
Malkowski said the company is putting together a prototype, which they plan to show the weapons unit at the state police on Friday.
Officials with Stag Arms sells AR-15s, the only product it produces, all over the United States and to other countries, but less than 5 percent of its sales are made in Connecticut.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy supported the ban, but did met with the gun manufacturers because he does not want them to leave, especially since the industry creates hundreds of jobs.
“It says gun companies will do anything to sell guns,” Malloy said when recently asked about the topic. “I can’t prejudge something that I haven’t seen or analyze. People make things to sell them.”
As for leaving Connecticut, officials with Stag Arms said it is still an option. Last week, Malkowski said he met with the governor of Texas and next week, the governor of Kansas.
I’m surprised that Stag Arms got anyone in the gun owner community to contribute to this bastard firearm. And by the way, it doesn’t comport with the notion of peaceful law breaking and smuggling to defy unconstitutional laws.
I’m not sure what will happen to Stag Arms. If they stay in Connecticut they will waste away as a viable firearms manufacturer. But I’m certain what will happen to this ridiculous, bastard firearm. It will be a laughingstock, the embarrassment of the gun range. No one who has it will be a proud owner of this long gun. Why do it? Why not smuggle and get real AR-15s? Why acquiesce to the totalitarians when you can do better?
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On April 30, 2013 at 11:14 pm, Matt said:
If they are looking to build a gun that is compliant with Connecticut laws, I suggest they examine some of the fine products built by Nerf.
On May 1, 2013 at 8:26 am, Devildog said:
Stag Arms needs to go ahead with their plan to leave Connecticut. To bow to the anti-gun establishment there will cause a huge loss of revenue. A boycott like S&W faced a few years back should be a lesson to gun mfg.
The public does not forget.
Just do the right thing and say ‘hello’ to the firearm friendly states that would love to have your revenue.
Boycott Colorado
On May 1, 2013 at 9:11 am, B Woodman said:
Stag Arms sales in CT are only 5% of total sales!? And for this, they’re going to stay in CT, and create a bastard firearm that won’t sell anywhere outside of CT?!
I think they’ll go bankrupt — slowly. More’s the pity. But they’re the ones shooting themselves in the foot — literally and figuratively.
A great suggestion from the movie “Poltergeist”: “Getttttttt outttttt.”
On May 1, 2013 at 9:52 am, johnnyreb said:
It’s the Jimmy Carter method of diplomacy. Just show them how nice and agreeable we are and they will like us again and stop wanting us dead.
Worked out well so far, huh?
And BTW…….don’t kid yerself. The antis don’t just want our guns. They want us GONE.
On May 1, 2013 at 10:41 am, Texas Jack 1940 said:
If they want to try to design a new rifle somewhat similar to the M15, that’s fine. The shape and parts and function of that rifle are not sacred. Personally, I don’t think they are anywhere near as attractive as a well-cared-for Garand, or a nice lever gun.
That said, yes they need to get OUT of Connecticut as soon as possible, and move to a free American state (Texas and Kansas both qualify). Sooner or later one of three things is going to happen: 1. We will take back our country and make it free again. Blood might be shed. 2. The country will divide into two or more seperate nations; some will use the old US constitution. Blood will be shed. 3. Revolution and civil war. Much blood will be shed. I would very much like to see as many firearms builders as possible in the free states.
On May 1, 2013 at 11:50 am, Herschel Smith said:
South Carolina and North Carolina both qualify as free states (I prefer S.C. even though I live in N.C.), as do Alabama and to Georgia.
On May 1, 2013 at 1:08 pm, rolf said:
Come to Arizona dammit!
On May 1, 2013 at 3:18 pm, Chuck said:
If they fold then we should not give Stag our money. There are lots of AR manufactures that would love our business and are willing to take a stand WITH the people that buy their products.
On May 1, 2013 at 4:56 pm, DAN III said:
So much for defiance. Bend over and grab your (STAG) ankles. Screw STAG Arms.
On May 1, 2013 at 7:16 pm, J Hall said:
Stag arms will be boycotted if they fail to make good on their promise to leave the gun grabbing state of Connecticut.
On May 1, 2013 at 10:33 pm, goatroper said:
Very, very sad. I had seriously thought about a StagArms as my first-ever black-rifle purchase. No more.
On May 2, 2013 at 1:59 am, Jules said:
To Stag Arms: move to a gun-friendly, constitutional state like AZ, ID, or WY, or face going out of business.
On May 2, 2013 at 7:00 am, Roadkill said:
Now, Ares had a prototype of an AR mod that was like the bastard child of an AR and a mini-14 and it didn’t look too bad. I’ve never seen anything wrong with mini-14, m1a, m1-carbines, 10/22s and other similar style rifles. So long as they take full capacity magazines naturally.