Gov. unveils second set of gun violence legislative proposals

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - The governor announced a second set of gun violence proposals on Thursday.

Gov. Ned Lamont participated in a news conference at 11 a.m. in Hartford.

Lamont’s office said this particular set will be concentrated on the prevention of mass shootings:

• Closing loopholes in the state’s assault weapons ban.
• Strengthening penalties related to the state’s ban on large-capacity magazines to make that ban enforceable
• Increasing the age to purchase all firearms to 21.

“As more and more mass shootings have occurred in the United States over the last decade, federal and state laws have not kept up with the innovative ways firearm companies are manufacturing guns that have the sole purpose of killing the largest number of humans within the shortest amount of time,” Lamont said. “I want to be clear – we are not talking about guns that have been created for hunting or protection, but rather the focus here is on assault weapons that are being created for mass human casualty. We’ve shown in Connecticut that we can implement laws that respect the rights of Americans to own guns for their own protection and sportsmanship while also acknowledging that we must take actions to protect public safety. These proposals continue that fair, commonsense balance.”

“Anyone who has experienced something this traumatic agrees this can not continue to happen,” said Jackie Haggerty, Sandy Hook Survivor.

The Connecticut Citizens Defense League says we need to enforce the laws we have, especially when its crimes involving guns, and they don’t like raising the age.

“What they are trying to do is make it so a 19 or 20 year old individual who could vote and serve in our armed forces cannot go deer hunting,” said Holly Sullivan, CCDL President.

The president of the Police Chiefs Assocation agrees we need to enforce penalties but feels this is a complex issue and we need to look at many things.

“It’s one of those things where every little bit helps. There is certainly no shortage of guns on the streets, even in a state like Connecticut where we have some of the toughest gun laws in the country,” said Chief Neil Dryfe, CT Police Chief’s Association President.

The first set, which the governor announced earlier this week, was focused on community gun violence.

They included limiting handgun purchases to one per month, banning open carry, registering ghost guns, and putting more money in to community programs.

Lamont said all of these proposals will be included as part of his package of priorities for the 2023 legislative session. He plans to present them to the Connecticut General Assembly in February.

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