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Ft. Collins gun store stopped selling high powered assault rifles six years ago

Owner says he's never looked back, has no regrets
Posted at 5:44 PM, Feb 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-28 21:58:26-05

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Jax Fort Collins Outdoor Gear stopped selling high-powered assault rifles in 2012 and the company's owner says, six years later, he has no regrets.

"After every one of these mass shootings I always feel like, 'Boy, I am so glad we aren't in the business of selling those weapons any longer,'" president and CEO Jim Quinlan said.

At the time, Quinlan said it was a very personal choice he made following the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.

"It wasn't a hard decision. I had kids at that time that were about elementary age and I was like, to me, it's just kind of sick," he said.

Like anything with guns, Quinlan said there has been plenty of feedback on both sides of the argument.

"Our analysis at that time was about 70 percent of the phone calls, letters, social media postings we got we're in favor and supportive. About 30 percent we're 'we'll never shop their again,'" he explained.

Quinlan said his decision wasn't and isn't about money. It was about doing what he saw as the right thing.

"If it came down to making money, that's just not what we're about," Quinlan said.

Six years in, Quinlan said, while weapons are only a small part of their business, profits are up, not down.  

"All I know is our business has continued to grow," he said.

Quinlan also said he applauds Dick Sporting Goods for taking its own stand and choosing to stop selling these kind of high powered weapons, but believes Congress has to act for there to be any widespread impact.

"There's plenty of availability out there and the only thing that's gonna change that availability is legislation," he said.

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