From State Senator Herron Gaston:
Early this morning, the state Senate passed a far-ranging gun security bill that will increase public safety in Connecticut by banning the open carry of firearms, limit the bulk purchase of handguns, increase safe storage requirements, close loopholes in the assault weapons ban, crack down on repeat gun offenders, and enact multiple other public safety measures.
House Bill 6667, “AN ACT ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE,” passed the Senate 24-11 and now heads to the desk of Governor Ned Lamont – who originally introduced the bill – to be signed into law.
“Connecticut remains one of the safest states in our union but I know that we can do more around the issue of gun violence ensuring that our communities remain safe,” said Sen. Gaston. “This legislation increases public safety across all towns and cities in our state. It puts resources in place allowing communities to thrive and prosper. Too often lives have been lost to gun violence and we want to make sure that everyone understands how serious we take this issue.”
Among the new provisions in H.B. 6667:
Bans the open carry of firearms in Connecticut – that is, carrying a firearm that is in plain view of the public, such as a pistol in an exposed holster on your hip.
Increases bail, probation and parole for high-risk repeat gun offenders, an extremely narrow group of people with repeat, serious firearm offenses such as the alteration of a firearm serial number, the manufacture or possession of a ghost gun, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a large-capacity magazine, or any crime involving the use or threatened use of a firearm.
Requires the Judicial Branch to establish special firearms dockets in courts in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury.
Updates Connecticut’s 2019 ban on unregistered “ghost guns” to include those that were assembled prior to the enactment of that ban; these ghost guns must be registered with the state by January 1, 2024.
Prevents the bulk purchase of handguns to discourage so-called ‘straw purchases’ (people who buys guns to sell them on the illegal black market) by barring the sale of more than three handguns a month to any person.
Expands Connecticut’s safe storage laws to all situations, not just those (as under current state law) where a minor or a prohibited person could gain access to a firearm.
Closes loopholes in Connecticut’s assault weapons ban by including so-called “other” firearms that have banned features that are similar to those on already-banned pistols and rifles.
Makes possession of a large-capacity magazine a class D felony for prohibited persons (i.e., convicted felons) and a class A misdemeanor for non-prohibited persons.
Makes the commission of a misdemeanor family violence crime or a federal misdemeanor crime of domestic violence into an automatic disqualifier for having a pistol permit.
Requires all firearms, not just handguns, to be sold with a trigger lock.
Creates a definitive timeline for individuals seeking a pistol permit: if the local authority takes longer than 16 weeks to review and approve the application, the individual can have the application move directly to the state for review.
Requires the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to include a mass shooting response plan in its comprehensive civil preparedness plan.
I would like to see a ( VICTIMS TAX ) on every purchase of a firearms in Connecticut, bar none!
Wear ORANGE today!! Meeting at McLevy Green at 4 PM announced on Saturday by Anthony Marshall regarding “gun control” concerns. Props to Herron Gaston for supporting measures proposed by the Governor as improvements on our current State laws and regulations, and hopefully soon to become law of our land of steady habits.
Where are the ‘guaranteed gun-free safety zones’ in the City of Bridgeport? Acknowledging the State and Federal Courthouses and certain schools as protected, but the First RIGHT of the Bill of Rights provides an assurance of a”right to peaceably assemble”. Did that include a right to leave a residence and then fear the violence that guns can bring to a community when they go about their daily visit to library, bank, merchants, including food stores, gas stations, and clothes cleaners, or attend schools and churches? How do we deal with fear and violent threats if we are a faith based spiritual people? Time will tell.