Colt CEO fires "first shot" at Connecticut state government

Posted by Jack Kemp on March 20, 2013 at 10:30pm

Jack E. Kemp

In an Op-Ed in the Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/hc-op-veilleux-dont-ban-guns-in... the CEO of Colt arms told the state of Connecticut some major consequences the state would suffer if they banned sales of AR-15s. He also talked about the synergistic effect over the last one hundred years of the arms industry in Connecticut attracting and developing top machinist and related skills that also enrich (in both senses of the word) the aerospace and other high tech industries in the state.

The opening sentence of CEO Dennis Veilleux asks,

BEGIN QUOTE

As a leader of a Connecticut manufacturing business who answers to owners, I can tell you the one question I am asked regularly, "Why does it make sense to stay or grow here?"

END QUOTE

The CEO later adds this sentence:

BEGIN QUOTE

I know one thing that the governor's proposed ban will do: It will irreparably damage — if not destroy — the brand of any Connecticut firearms manufacturer.

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And Veilleux goes on to state these points:

BEGIN QUOTE

For 175 years, Hartford and Connecticut have been our home. The genius and vision of Samuel Colt built a core of manufacturing excellence that helped make Hartford one of the nation's wealthiest cities and ignited the industrial revolution in the Connecticut River Valley. Amazingly, that heritage continues with a substantial firearms industry and a critical mass of skilled craftsman and machining expertise for aerospace and other precision industries that are the envy of the country.

But this tremendous economic advantage is in grave danger. What's most astounding is our advantage is not being taken away — it's being given away.

END QUOTE

This is pretty plain talk. If the Connecticut legislature gives away the advantages of staying in the state, there is only one logical conclusion to this lead up: Colt will be better off leaving the state. The Governor Dannel Malloy announces his plan to press forward with banning the AR-15 which would do much to hurt loyalties among Colt rifle owners if they were to stay in Connecticut. I will add that the Governor could perhaps offer Linda McMahon the empty Colt factories for new training facilities for WWE wrestlers because it isn't all that likely another industrial company would buy those buildings.

CEO Dennis Veilleux discusses things such as background checks and the mentally ill, as well as the significant differences between an AR-15 and an actual fully automatic military assault weapon. Ironically, I would add, Colt manufactures the M16 for the US Military and the M4 machine gun - but the income from those sales - as well as the political clout - could leave the state as well.

To add more raw truth, Dennis Veilleux mentions that a black market would arise for AR-15s, just as one arose for liquor during Prohibition.

To conclude, CEO Veilleux states that his suppliers - as well as gun manufacturers Mossberg (shotgun maker) and Stag Arms would have a lot less economic reasons to stay in the state as well.

Governor Dannel Malloy had better ask some industry experts - as well as himself - some tough questions before he presses further with his plans to ban AR-15 and other related gun sales in Connecticut. The dinner theater and the water slide businesses are not going to make up for the loss in tax revenues if Colt, Mossberg and other arms businesses leave the state.

Hat Tip: Paul Szemanczky

Colt CEO fires "first shot" at Connecticut state government - Patriot Action Network