http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/01/28/gunmakers-push-back-against-connecticut-proposals/

January 28, 2013

Gunmakers Push Back in Connecticut

By Joseph De Avila

Connecticut-based gun manufacturers called into question proposed weapons restrictions and taxes at a legislative hearing Monday, the local industry's most robust public statements since the shooting rampage at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

Hundreds of residents lined up outside the capitol in Hartford in frigid weather to attend a meeting of the task force weighing a host of new gun-control measures. Lawmakers are expected to pass a comprehensive bill on firearms, mental health and school safety by the end of February.

Several proponents in favor of new gun restrictions also spoke at the meeting, including family members of Sandy Hook victims. But Monday's hearing marked the most extensive comments yet on the proposed restrictions from gunmakers, who have kept a low-profile since the Dec. 14 shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators.

"The issue is access by prohibited persons. We should strengthen background checks," said Joseph Bartozzi, senior vice president of general counsel of gun maker Mossberg & Sons Inc." If the system needs to be improved, we need to do this right away. Banning guns is not going to solve anything."

"As we've seen the number of guns in society have increased, yet the of violent crime rate has decreased. To say it's all about guns I think simply is a disservice," he added.

State lawmakers have already considered an array of gun-related legislation in the wake of the shooting, including proposals to enact a 50% tax on ammunition, prohibit large-capacity magazines and expand the state's assault-weapons ban. Other bills call for a ban on armor-piercing ammunition and an increase in age limit to purchase weapons.

"Not one of these gun proposals would have impacted this heinous act nor would it affect future perpetrators," said Robert Crook, president of the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen, a lobbying group in favor of gun rights. "These current quick-fix, do-something bills do not address the root cause and actions of the Newtown criminal."

Representatives from the gun industry expressed a willingness to take part in the dialogue on gun-control, but they argued against new taxes or broad measures that would restrict access to guns. Those changes, they warned, would hurt their businesses and threaten thousands of jobs across the state.

"While we have 270 employees in Connecticut, we also have dozens of vendors in the state and they have thousands of employees. The millions of dollars that goes into our vendor base could be lost in large part depending on what comes out of this panel's decisions," Bartozzi said.

Other officials from the state's gunmakers made their case on economic grounds and argued that gun restrictions could have adverse effects on the roughly 7,300 Connecticut citizens employed in the sector.

"We are concerned about quick fixes in pursuing policies without giving them due consideration and without considering whether pursuing policies will have an adverse impact on manufacturing jobs," said Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a pro-gun lobbying group based in Newtown.

One specific proposal that drew criticism was an expansion of the state's assault rifle ban. Mark Malkowski, president of Connecticut gun maker Stag Arms, said that law-enforcement officials usually pay out-of-pocket for many of their rifles.

"If they would become illegal, even with an officer exemption, they would have little interest in purchasing something that they would not be able to keep after they retire. It could put our officers at great risk," Malkowski said.