Conn. gun industry seeks gun access restrictions

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Representatives of Connecticut's gun industry say more should be done to keep guns out of the hands of people with mental health issues rather than banning some guns that would cost jobs.

Industry officials spoke at the Capitol on Monday, the first time they addressed gun issues since 20 children and six educators were killed at a Newtown elementary school on Dec. 14.

Lawrence Keane, senior vice president of the trade group the National Shooting Sports Foundation, says banning weapons such as assault rifles would not be effective.

The industry says gun companies employ more than 7,000 workers in the state who have incomes averaging $71,000 a year.

Rich Roland, a worker at Mossberg & Sons in North Haven, says he's concerned jobs would be lost if guns are banned.