SB 1133, also known as the State Police bill, is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee and could have a public hearing as early as next week. Before sending SB 1133 to the Judiciary Committee, members of the Public Safety Committee approved substitute language which stripped out many of the bill’s original provisions, including a ban on private sales and transfers, a ban on youth hunting, and registration. But the bill still contains one provision that could make it the most dangerous legislation gun owners and sportsmen have ever faced! SB 1133 would make it a felony for anyone who has been denied a pistol permit or certificate of eligibility (COE), one of which is necessary in Connecticut to purchase a handgun, to possess ANY firearm! The bill would require that those individuals who are denied a permit or COE be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as a "person prohibited" from purchasing and possessing firearms. Since "suitability" is a factor considered by the issuing authority in Connecticut, this means that a local police chief could arbitrarily deny an individual a pistol permit or COE without justification, causing the applicant to lose his or her gun rights forever!
SB 1133 has the potential to be amended in the Judiciary Committee and used as a vehicle for the failed .50 caliber ban or any other anti-gun elements the gun grabbers want to throw in. Thus far, Governor Jodi Rell (R) has ignored your calls of opposition to SB 1133, and has shown no interest in protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen. Since the State Police are an agency of the Rell Administration, the Governor has the ability and obligation to stop the abuse of power that SB 1133 represents. Please call Governor Rell at (800) 406-1527 and your state lawmakers TODAY to voice your strong opposition to SB 1133.
You can find contact information by using NRA-ILA`s "Write Your Representatives" feature.