Connecticut: Legislature Adjourns, Governor Signs Anti-Gun Bills

On June 5^th, the Connecticut Legislature adjourned sine die from the 2019 Legislative Session.  Unfortunately, Governor Ned Lamont signed three anti-gun bills into law on June 3^rd.  This broad-based trio of gun control legislation will require firearms be made unavailable for self-defense, effectively end the centuries old practice of home-manufacturing firearms for personal use, and impose unnecessary restrictions on transporting handguns.  Thank you to all the NRA members and Second Amendment supporters who contacted their elected officials to voice their concern over these egregious bills and others during this session. 

House Bill 7218 will require any adult with a minor present in their residence to make their firearms unavailable for self-defense.  Gun safety and storage is a matter of personal responsibility and every person’s situation is different.  It is unreasonable to impose a one-size-fits-all government solution.  Such poorly thought out schemes are without any consideration for personal circumstances.

House Bill 7219 will essentially end the centuries old practice of manufacturing firearms for personal use by imposing requirements that far exceed those in federal law.  Criminals acquire the vast majority of their firearms by illegal means such as theft, straw purchase, or on the black market.  Such a law will only affect hobbyists who like to design, assemble, or manufacture their own firearms.

House Bill 7223 will require handguns to be stored in a locked safe whenever in an unattended vehicle.  Such an unreasonable requirement will require gun owners to fit their vehicles with a locking safe separate from any carrying cases they already use to transport handguns.

Fortunately, Senate Bill 60 did not advance and was defeated this session.  It would have allowed law enforcement officers to demand that Connecticut handgun permit holders present their permit if the officer had reason to believe they were carrying a handgun.  Current law already allows police officers to request proof of a permit, but only when they have a “reasonable suspicion” that a crime is being committed, supported by articulable facts that criminal activity is occurring.

Your NRA-ILA will be back at the capitol for the 2020 session and, in the meantime, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates affecting our Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage in Connecticut.