CT Legislators Hold Virtual Hearing on Extreme Bills
Public Hearing on Lamont’s Anti-Gun Proposal
Unfortunately, while everything else in the state is open for business, the Connecticut Judiciary committee will hold this hearing with only a virtual option. The public hearing will be on various firearm bills. In what could only be described as a failure of the legislative process, legislators are trying to ration your second amendment rights and limit your First Amendment at the same time. It has become quite convenient to hold hearings virtually in order to ignore the will of the people.
The bills include SB 16 which is Governor Ned Lamont’s proposal which contains some of the most extreme anti-gun proposals imaginable along with Raised Bill 5416, which would limit the purchase/transfer of only one handgun a month.
Connecticut already has some of the strictest gun laws and licensing requirements in the country, but that is not stopping legislators and the Governor from trying to limit your ability to purchase, possess and transfer guns in the state.
The only goal of one-gun-a-month legislation is to restrict the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens. This is another gun control attempt that will have no affect at reducing crime or impacting criminals. Prohibiting citizens from purchasing more than one-handgun-a-month and exercising their constitutional right, hinders lawful commerce and particularly affects small "mom and pop" businesses.
Governor Lamont’s proposal is one of the most egregious attacks on the industry in the state of Connecticut and includes many failed policies that will do nothing to address violent crime in the state. The bill includes further expansion of policies that were passed as recently as a couple of years ago. The bill includes the following items.
Require federally licensed retailers to acquire a state license to conduct business, even though Connecticut has proven to be completely inefficient in managing its relationship with dealers.
Implement expanded “assault” weapon ban and force citizens into another registration scheme similar to 2014.
Further expand mandates for the locking of firearms in the state even after the most recent legislation passed in 2019.
Enhance an unenforceable law to register “ghost” guns even after legislation was already passed in 2020.
Modify carry laws to leave permit holders defenseless in certain places while implementing a “stop and frisk” mentality for exercising your rights.
The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. The public hearing can be viewed via YouTube Live. In addition, the public hearing may be broadcast live on CT-N.com.
NSSF® urges all firearm industry businesses, gun owners, hunters, target shooters and firearms collectors to take action and make their feelings known. Please take the time to e-mail written testimony to Judtestimony@cga.ct.gov.
We also urge everyone to also sign up to testify virtually via Zoom or by phone On-line Testimony Registration Form. Registration will close on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 3 p.m.
Speaker order of approved registrants will be posted on the Judiciary Committee website on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 6 p.m.. under Public Hearing Testimony.
