State Agenda 2001

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, State Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen (D-Stamford), State Senator Alvin W. Penn (D-Bridgeport), co-chair of the Legislature's Public Safety Committee, and State Representative Michael P. Lawlor (D-East Haven), co-chair of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee today unveiled a number of major new gun safety initiatives designed to update Connecticut's law banning military-style assault-weapons, taking further steps to promote responsible gun ownership, and keeping guns out of the hands of potentially dangerous individuals.

The major new gun safety initiatives include modifying the existing assault weapons ban to include semiautomatic assault weapons not currently covered under Connecticut law--including long range .50 caliber sniper weapons--as well as a ban on ultra-destructive .50 caliber armor piercing and incendiary ammunition, a requirement that all handguns in Connecticut meet rigorous safety standards, and a requirement that individuals who become the subject of restraining orders immediately relinquish all weapons to law enforcement. (SEE BELOW FOR COMPLETE LIST OF NEW GUN SAFETY PROVISIONS)

Connecticut is one of only five states to ban assault weapons, and its 1993 law remains one of the most comprehensive laws in America. However, in the years since the law was enacted, gun manufacturers have produced weapons that are very similar to those banned, yet renamed and modified just enough to not be included in either the state or federal ban. For example, the Colt AR-15 is banned by Connecticut law, yet many other weapons of striking similarity have been produced that would not fall under the ban. These proposed new initiatives would include all of these weapons, according to the Attorney General and the lawmakers.

"In 1993 Connecticut had the courage and the foresight to be only the third state in the nation to enact a ban on military-style assault weapons, and we remain on the leading edge today, as one of only five states with such a ban. But despite our best efforts, some gun manufacturers have found a way around the ban with minor modifications, and as a result are producing assault-style weapons that do not fall under our ban or the federal ban. What we are proposing today will close that loophole and add these weapons to the list of those that are banned," Sen. Jepsen said. "I am particularly pleased that we are taking action to outlaw all semiautomatic .50 caliber sniper rifles and all .50 caliber armor-piercing, incendiary, or tracer ammunition. These are capable of causing terrifying amounts of destruction with just one shot and have no business being available on the street."

"These common sense measures will help make guns safer and keep them out of the hands of criminals and children," Attorney General Blumenthal said. "These two basic goals should be shared and sought by everyone, even if we differ on the specifics. We must keep Connecticut at the forefront of gun safety efforts."

"The goal of this year's package is to plug loopholes in existing law and make it easier for police and courts to enforce the law," Rep. Lawlor added.

"We have a ban on these military-style weapons, and there is good reason for it. People are safer with this ban in place. And when we see gun manufacturers making these small modifications to allow their guns to slip around the letter of the law, we need to make a change," Sen. Penn said.

These are the members of the Public Safety Committee. If any of them are your Legislators, please write or call them and ask them to support the 2001 Connecticut Firearms Safety Initiative which includes: - Modifications to the existing assault weapons ban to include semi-automatic, military-style assault weapons not covered, including many "copycats" of the banned AR-15.

- A ban on semi-automatic, long-range .50 caliber sniper weapons and any .50 caliber ammunition that is armor piercing, incendiary or tracer.

- A special permitting process for single-shot .50 caliber sniper weapons, and enhanced, non-suspendable penalties for their use in crimes.

- The establishment of safety standards for firearms sold in Connecticut. [Massachusetts requirements; "Saturday-nite Special drop test; load indicators, smart guns, etc.]

- An enhancement of restraining order statutes to require individuals who become the subject of restraining orders to immediately relinquish all firearms in their possession to law enforcement officials.

- A requirement that all state and municipal agencies only purchase firearms from manufacturers that have policies ensuring the manufacture of weapons that are as safe as possible, and preventing the use of their weapon in crimes. [S&W Agreement]

- A requirement that all youth firearm deaths be investigated by the Child Fatality Review Board.

- New standard to govern decisions by the Board of Firearm Permit Examiners.

- A ban on large capacity ammunition magazines, capable of accepting more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

In addition to the above they also proposed/supported One Gun a Month and Prohibit Guns in Public Buildings.