Customers all over Connecticut packed into gun stores Tuesday ahead of a vote expected to bring about sweeping changes to the state's gun laws, the Associated Press reports.
Possible changes include a ban of large-capacity ammunition magazines like those used in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting and a reclassification of more than 100 guns as banned assault weapons.
Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy supports the bill touted by lawmakers as the toughest gun control legislation in the country, and could sign it into law as soon as Wednesday night. Some companies say they feel the legislation scapegoats them for the 26 deaths at Newtown:
At least one ammunition magazine maker is more seriously considering offers to leave.
"My home is in Connecticut, but at this point, I don't know if I can operate here legally come Wednesday afternoon," said Jonathan Scalise, owner of Ammunition Storage Components in New Britain. He said it's unclear to him whether employees in possession of banned firearms or ammunition would be breaking the law.
Gun shops across the state reported brisk sales Tuesday and said customers also checked on the status of orders that they worried could be canceled once the new laws take effect.
The parking lot at Hoffman's Gun Center and Indoor Range in Newington was full Tuesday morning, with some drivers parking on the front lawn. Inside, customers waited in long lines to purchase what was left.