Madera gun manufacturer concerned about possible weapon ban

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A ban on high powered weapons could put a local gun manufacturer out of business.

Senator Dianne Feinstein announced new legislation on Thursday which would ban the sale, transfer, manufacturing, and importing of semi-automatic weapons. The bill is called "The Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 ". Senator Feinstein said getting it to pass will be an uphill battle..

One North Valley business owner is doing what he can to make sure the bill does not go through.

It starts off as a block of aluminum, but after a few hours in a CNC machine, it will turn into an upper receiver for a rifle that is completly built in Madera. Todd Houlding has built his business around making and selling Armalite Rifles. Since the election, he has had a hard time keeping up with the demand.

"People are just concerned that the government is overstepping it's bounds and they want to buy the firearms of their choice before they can't," said Todd Houlding, Houlding Precision Firearms.

United States Senator Dianne Feinstein, (D) California, introduced legislation on Thursday that would ban assault riffles.

"Today my colleagues and I are introducing a bill to prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacture and importation of assault weapons," said Sen. Feinstein.

Feinstein also wants to ban 157 specifically named firearms and ammunition feeding devices that can accept more than 10 rounds. "Massacres have taken place in businesses, law practices, malls, movie theaters, and especially schools. These massacres don't seem to stop. The common thread in these shootings is each gunman used a semi-auto assault weapon or large capacity ammunition magazines"

Houlding says he's cautiously optimistic that the ban won't pass. "I just think it's silly they're trying to regulate a firearm based on how it looks rather than how it functions."

Houlding said he's contacted, and is working with, Valley congressional representatives to keep track of what happens in Washington. The National Rifle Association stated on Thursday that the focus should be on prosecuting criminals and improving the country's mental health system.

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madera, madera county, gun control, politics, stephanie stone

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