Kalashnikov USA To Start Production In Florida

POMPANO BEACH, Fla (CNN) — American gun maker Kalashnikov USA is announcing plans to manufacture the famous AK-47 assault semi automatic rifles in Florida. The company previously imported the weapons from the original manufacturer in Moscow.

It began producing them in Pennsylvania last year when President Obama imposed sanctions against Russia after its annexation of Crimea. At that point, Kalashnikov USA severed all ties with the Russian company. Now, Pompano Beach has approved the assembly of guns in the city.

Guns assembled at the Pompano Beach factory will have to be sold to retailers elsewhere.

Kalashnikov USA launched new rifles and shotguns at a firearms conference in Las Vegas last week, including the high capacity magazines Alpha line. Genuine AK-47’s — among the most popular assault rifles in the world — have spiked in value since the sanctions halted imports.