Connecticut Update for Several Anti-Gun Bills

Public hearings were held in the Judiciary Committee on several anti-gun bills. SB 1029 would require a local permit for retail sale of firearms. SB 1029 is designed to allow localities to prevent federally licensed firearms dealers from engaging in the lawful business of selling rifles and shotguns. HB 6743 would impose criminal penalties for failure to report the loss or theft of a firearm. Also on today’s agenda was HB 6657.

In addition to containing components identical to those in SB 1029 and HB 6743, HB 6657 includes provisions that would require registration of sales of all firearms, mandatory trigger locks with sale of all firearms, and would place long guns under the same restrictions as handguns for the purposes of sale or transfer. This would mean a National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) would be required for all transactions, including a transfer from father to son for the purpose of hunting. Due to the largely anti-gun makeup of the Judiciary Committee, these bills are expected to be approved and sent to the Public Safety Committee. We’ll keep you posted on further action.

Not heard today, but still pending in the Judiciary Committee, is SB 1133, also known as the State Police bill. 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 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! Members are urged to contact lawmakers and voice strong opposition to the above mentioned bills.

You can find contact information by visiting www.NRAILA.org and using the "Write Your Representatives" feature.